“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry ‘Abba [Father], Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
—Romans 8:15, 16.

By faith you can hear your heavenly Father addressing you just as He did Jesus: “This is my beloved son or daughter with whom I am well pleased” (compare Matthew 3:17).

This secure relationship with God brings us many benefits, but it doesn’t guarantee a problem-free life. In fact, the enemy often tries to throw the most difficulties at those who’ve just made a commitment to Christ. However, life with Christ does give us a valuable perspective in the rough times. When we’re in God’s hands we can know that He will use everything that happens to us, good and bad, to teach us and help us grow (see Romans 8:28).

A young woman made a decision to commit her life to Christ in baptism—in spite of her husband’s threat of divorce. He wanted no part of her new faith, but she stuck to Jesus and tried to become a more loving wife than ever before. For some time the husband made things difficult at home. But finally he was won over by an argument he couldn’t answer: her transformed life. This man surrendered his life to Christ and he too was baptized.

Sticking close to Christ through “thick and thin” will make us powerful instruments in His hands. Discover the joy of that ultimate commitment. We can commit our lives to Him unconditionally because He has already made the ultimate commitment to us, the ultimate surrender, on the cross. Jesus paid the greatest price to become our Saviour. What a privilege it is to publicly give Him our love and allegiance! If you haven’t yet done so, why not surrender your life to Him right now as you pray:

Dear Father in heaven: I thank You that Jesus died for my sins, was buried, and came out from the grave the eternal Lifegiver. As I surrender my life to You by dying to self, come into my life and fill me with Your presence. Please pour out Your Holy Spirit in my life as You did in the life of Jesus. Fill my life with the peace and joy that comes from following You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.