The young man grew up in a home where his dad was physically present but alcoholism and a violent temper kept the dad distant. It was an emotionally and physically abusive home situation. There was no relationship with the dad, no encouragement and no affirmation for the boy. It was a steady stream of criticism, derision and discouragement.

A door opened to a safer environment in which to live. The young man was accepting of the disconnect in relationship with his father. He made the decision to stay away from the alcohol and actually hoped he would not inherit any of his dad’s attributes. He looked for other men, father-figures he could emulate. This resulted in more of a focus on being like those men he looked up to, which was not necessarily healthy. He needed an environment that would provide support for, and help on the search for his unique identity.

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead, to My brothers and tell them, ‘I have not yet returned to My Father and your father, to My God and your God.’”  – John 20:17. Jesus, through His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension, reconnected what got disconnected through Adam – relationship with the Father. We have a new identity to reflect, to live in to. – The Spirit you received does not make you slaves again to fear; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” - Romans 8:15 Paul’s charge is to reject the passivity Adam passed on and embrace the Spirit of sonship. Step forward as an adoptee of the most High God with an identity in the Trinity.

Later in life, the boy learned the dad that raised him was not his biological dad. The disconnect he felt in the relationship was in fact very real. The young man never met his biological father. Yet his Heavenly Father opened the door to a real relationship with Him through Jesus the Christ. In that relationship, his identity became clear as an adoptee, a child of God – not a slave again to fear of not measuring up, but confident in his adoption to sonship with his identity in the Trinity.

Prayer guide: Lord, I thank You for Your Word and for being my Dad. I confess that my identity was tied to success in this world and pride in overcoming a bad home situation. Forgive me. Thank You for the family You blessed me with and for the father-figures You placed in my life. Thank You for adopting me into Your family. Help me glorify You in my home as the adoptee I am, in the Spirit of sonship. That is the dad You call me to be and the dad the next generation needs. Amen.

A faithful father glorifies the Father as an adoptee, in the Spirit of sonship.