Romans 8:15 : For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Notice the word "again." In becoming children of God we do not again enter into a bondage wherein we serve through fear. The Jew under the law was moved principally through fear, and idol worshippers were moved by fear. But not so with the Christian. "But ye received the spirit of adoption;" or, more exact, "Ye received the spirit of sonship." A Christian is one who has been born again he is a child of God by birth, rather than by adoption. He serves God, not through a spirit of slavish fear, but through a spirit of filial obedience. "Spirit" as used in this verse does not refer to an individual personal intelligence, but to disposition or attitude. Instead of being moved by fear as slaves, the child of God renders trusting obedience to God, and confidently calls upon him as Father. The spirit of fear is displaced by a spirit of reverence, trust, and worship. The term "Abba" means "Father." It seems that the two terms are here used for emphasis.