Romans 8: How God Loves UsSample

No Longer Slaves

Reflect / Discuss

• How would you describe your relationship with God? 
• What does being called “God’s children” mean to you?

Consider

Before God intervened, we were His enemies. Mankind had no choice but to be slaves to sin. We lived only to please ourselves and to fulfill our own desires. When God redeemed us by the death of His son He could have chosen to make us His own slaves. But that is not the relationship that the Bible describes. We are not imprisoned by Him, or even just set free. We are invited to be co-heirs with Christ. 

Paul says in this chapter of Romans that the follower of Jesus is adopted by God. During the time Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome, parents were able to legally disown their children for a number of reasons. However, if a child was adopted, they legally could not be disowned and they immediately had access to all the rights, possessions, and wealth of their new family. In the same way, because God chose us, we have access to His, “glorious riches in Christ Jesus!” (Philippians 4:19) Now God is not just the ruler of our lives and hearts, but our loving and faithful Father. 

Act

• When you turn to God in prayer, remember that you are His child. Pray honestly and confidently as a child of God.