The Sonship Reality: Living From the Father’s Love, Not for His Approval
Rev. Aniekan "Mbomboyo" Okokon ·
You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" — Romans 8:15
There are two ways to live in a father’s house. A servant lives there for approval: his place depends on his performance, and every mistake threatens his position. A son lives there from love: his place depends on his birth, and nothing he does can make him more or less a son. Many believers are sons living like servants — working anxiously for an acceptance they already have.
Adoption is not probation
In the Roman world Paul wrote into, adoption was a legal act that could not be undone. The adopted son received the father’s name, the father’s inheritance and a clean record; his old debts were cancelled. Paul chooses that picture deliberately. God did not take you on trial. He adopted you, and the Spirit He gave is the Spirit of adoption — the Spirit who makes you certain you are His.
That is why the cry is "Abba". It is the word of a child who has never doubted the door is open. Galatians 4:6 says God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying it — the very cry Jesus used in Gethsemane. You address the Father with the Son’s own confidence, because you have the Son’s own Spirit.
How a servant prays, and how a son prays
- The servant asks permission. The son asks for bread.
- The servant reports his work. The son tells his Father about his day.
- The servant fears being sent away. The son knows he is an heir (Romans 8:17).
- The servant obeys to keep his place. The son obeys because he loves his Father and shares His purposes.
Heirs, and fellow heirs with Christ
Paul goes further than most of us dare. Sons are heirs, and heirs of God are "fellow heirs with Christ". Whatever the Father has given the Son, He has given the Son’s brothers and sisters. The inheritance is not a distant reward for faithful service; it is the family estate, and your name is already on it.
Living from the Father’s love does not make you careless. It makes you secure, and secure people are the ones who take risks for the Kingdom, forgive enemies, give generously and stay when it is hard — because none of it is being done to earn a place at the table. The place was set before you sat down.