As believers, we must remember that we are not slaves working for a wage, but sons of God and heirs to His kingdom. Romans 8:15 (KJV) tells us, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." We can reject the spirit of bondage and fear that comes with the "slave wage system" by acclimating ourselves with the atmosphere of sonship that the Holy Spirit provides as we set our mind on the Gospel truths of what we have in Christ. We can even enjoy a taste of our inheritance through the blessing of the Spirit. As we focus on the righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel, we see that we have the forgiveness of sins, the blessing of the Spirit, the inheritance of Christ, and Christ Himself as life.

Some say that because we do not work for a wage or for fear of punishment, we do not work at all. This reveals their feelings about the service in God’s house. It is a mournful, burdensome thing to them, tasked by the “hard taskmaster” and not something they are invested or interested in. People must hire servants to work for them because the servant would have no interest in the project otherwise. But Jesus said, “I no longer call you slaves, but friends, for a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing, but I’m telling you everything.” A friend is someone who understands your heart and even wants the same thing as you want. This is how God works with us. He makes us friends, reveals His heart to us, and our satisfaction is found in building His house and being built up as His house (John 15:15). True ministry automatically comes out of the enjoyment of the riches in God’s house (Colossians 2:2). We don’t have to be motivated with a carrot and a stick, punishment and wages, because we love God. The carrot and stick are for the disinterested, the lazy, and perhaps even those who hate their master. How else can you motivate them? (Ephesians 6:5-8)

Father God, I thank You that I am not a slave, but a son of God and an heir to Your kingdom. Thank You for the Spirit of adoption, whereby I can call You "Abba, Father." I reject the spirit of bondage and fear that comes with the "slave wage system" and instead embrace the atmosphere of sonship that the Holy Spirit provides. I thank You that I am no longer a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. I declare that I am a joint heir with Christ and I share in His inheritance. I thank You that in Christ, I have obtained an inheritance, and that Christ Himself is my life and my source of righteousness. I thank You for the blessing of Your Spirit, which gives me the power to live as a son of God. Help me to focus on the righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel, that I may obtain forgiveness of sins, the blessing of the Spirit, the inheritance of Christ, and Christ Himself as life. In Jesus' name, amen.