June 3, 2022

“All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption.” (Romans 8:14-15)

Fear vs. security. Fear seems to be the default setting of human beings. Maybe that’s why the most commonly repeated phrase in the Bible is “fear not” or “do not be afraid” or “have no fear.”

According to Paul, fear gives way to unassailable security via your adoption as God’s son, God’s daughter. Nothing can touch you now! What would it be like to believe that?

“Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Proper 22 – BCP)