Receiving the Word

But you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15b ESV)

The Word of God does not return void and lifeless, but instead springs up and grows in ways that we would never have imagined. We see this in the words of childlike trust that the Spirit plants in us. Here the Word springs forth a new life in the Spirit as we are planted in Christ and as we receive the Spirit that connects us to our loving Heavenly Father who receives us both now and in eternity!

For the past four summers we have been growing a community garden here at International Lutheran Church – the ILC “Hallelujah Garden.” Unfortunately, we aren’t always able to get to taste the results of all the labor that goes into it – especially as this year we are about 8,000 miles away! As you might imagine, though, a lot of work goes into a summer garden. Besides preparing the soil, there is the planting, watering and weeding that needs to be tended to daily. Without care, the weeds and vines tend to take over and the plants wither in the sun. I can only imagine the job that will be ours when we return!

The letter to the Romans is an inspired and inspiring letter written to encourage and “plant” faith into the lives of those who receive its message. Paul sought to plant in the hearts of his hearers the Good News of our Savior’s life, death and resurrection so that all would be planted into Jesus. Just as Isaiah describes how the Spirit brings us to faith (Isaiah 55), this faith does not remain still and lifeless but takes root and grows as it calls out to God with childlike faith and hope. Paul uses many metaphors to describe this planting and reception action by God to make us His own. Here in chapter 8 he describes this receiving with the image of being adopted and made to be God’s children in and through Jesus. This adoption is such that we are now heirs and co-heirs with Christ! We are received and adopted even as the Word calls us to receive with faith what God has done for us. Our new life and new identity in Christ is the fruit of the Spirit of God. Through the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, we are made alive and now grow in and through Him. In the Spirit our hearts call out to our God, “Abba, Father!”

As we join in worship today and gather to receive His Word planted in our hearts, together we call out in response to the love of our Father knowing that He has received us for Christ’s sake as His own children.

Pastor Carl