“You didn’t 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.’ The Spirit himself proclaims to our spirit that we are God’s children”. Romans 8:15-16
Heavenly Father, it’s hard to believe today marks the 28th year I have taught a January Term class at Covenant Seminary, St Louis—spanning my late 40’s to my mid 70’s. For the next 4 days I have the honor of marinating with my students in the theology, riches, wonder, and implications of “Sonship”—how through the Gospel and our union with Christ, you make us your beloved daughters and sons—whom you love as much as you love Jesus.
I’m not merely an aging professor, I’m a hungry student as well, Father. Meet me afresh. Mesmerize me anew with things you have taught me for the past half-century. Dazzle my heart these next 4 days with the beauty of Jesus—as though it was for the first time. Make the good news of the Gospel current and compelling news. I know the material I’ll teach, but I want to know you better and better as my glorious, grace-filled Abba. I’d love to begin 2026 with your Spirit humbling and gladdening me (and my online classroom community) with heaven-sent Gospel-renewal. For your glory and our joy, grant it Father.
By your Spirit, continue to free us from our slavish fears, our grace-allergies, our Gospel-amnesia, and our penchant for woefully under-believing the truth, goodness, and beauty of Jesus. We’re not spiritual orphans, for you have given us the legal rights and personal delights of everything that belongs to Jesus. Hallelujah—Jesus is the Son of “Sonship.” You’ve hidden our lives in Christ, given us the status of “Firstborn Son,” and will one Day finish making us like Jesus. Hallelujah on Gospel-steroids! Thank you, Abba, and So Very Amen.
