AUGUST 12

The Spirit of Adoption

Bible Reading: Romans 8

Romans 8:15, “For 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!’”

Galatians 4:6, “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’’”

I was there in the courtroom when the papers were signed, and their adoption was made official.  The brother and sister had never known their father and their mom was a drug addict, not capable of parenting.  The two had been in foster care and their foster parents decided to adopt them.  In love, they were brought into a devoted, warmhearted family.  Still, it wasn’t always easy for them.  Both children made some poor choices which lead them in a bad direction.  Yet they always were a part of the family.  They never stopped being beloved children of their adoptive parents.  Court papers witnessed to their identity as members of that family.  Likewise, you, as a believer, have a witness to the truth that you are, in fact, a child of God!

Two contrary spirits are spoken of in our passage—the spirit of slavery and the Spirit of adoption.  The spirit of slavery is what we are all born into, and what we sometimes revert to, in our thinking.  It is a harsh and demanding thing, as Octavius Winslow noted: “It exhibits itself in various forms, yet, essentially, it is the same spirit. The world, for example, holds in cruel bondage all its devotees. It enslaves the intellect by its opinions, the heart by its pleasures, the imagination by its promises, the soul by its religion- leading it a willing captive, a victim garlanded for the sacrifice… But it is the moral law- the spirit of bondage which genders fear- to which the passage particularly refers. Its commands are exceedingly broad, and the obedience upon which it insists unqualifiedly perfect; and yet, with all the breadth of the precept and the rigidness of the requirement, it offers no helping hand. It shows a man his sin, but not his pardon. It teaches him his weakness but tells him not where his great strength lies. It thunders in his ear his misery and condemnation, but whispers not a word of mercy and of hope.”

It is from that which the child of God has been delivered and it is the Spirit of adoption which testifies to that newfound reality.  In Bible times, an adopted son was deliberately chosen by his adopted father to perpetuate his name and eventually inherit his estate.  Not at all inferior to a natural child, the adopted one would likely better appreciate his sonship, having gained it through the purposeful deliberation and benevolent actions of the father.  We have been adopted by God—praise Him for it!  Now the Spirit testifies to our Spirit regarding our blessed and true identity (1 John 3:1)! 

Kent Hughes has commented on this: “We sense that we are God’s sons!  So intense is the reality of our adoption that we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’  The Aramaic word ‘Abba,’ which means ‘Dear Father’ in the sense in which that we might say ‘Dad’ or ‘Daddy,’ was never used by the Jews to address God, nor do they use it today…Can anything be more beautiful… Many have never known a meaningful relationship with an earthly Father.  Or some have, but now he is gone.  God offers his soul-satisfying paternity to all who come to him.  ‘Abba Father!’” In the Spirit who indwells you, you’ve a witness to your own heart, to the glorious truth that you belong to God!

WHAT MANNER OF LOVE

Behold, what love, what boundless love,
The Father hath bestowed
On sinners lost, that we should be
Now called the sons of God!

Refrain: Behold, what manner of love!
What manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
That we, that we should be called,
Should be called the sons of God!

No longer far from Him but now
By precious blood made nigh,
Accepted in the Well beloved,
Near to God’s heart we lie. [Refrain]

What we in glory soon shall be,
It doth not yet appear;
But when our precious Lord we see,
We shall His image bear. [Refrain]

With such a blessèd hope in view,
We would more holy be,
More like our risen, glorious Lord,
Whose face we soon shall see. [Refrain]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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