2023 0702 Romans 8 Children of God

Romans 8:14–17 NIV

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:14 NIV

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Children of God

there is a clear promise

led by the Spirit confirms we are children of God

this is not cheap talk

this is not an one off statement

we confess Jesus is Lord

we receive a new spirit and a new heart

speak and then be led by the Spirit

this opens the door to the prosperity and blessings of God

Romans 8:15 NIV

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Adopted by the Father

we are no longer visitors or guests in God’s house

we have been adopted

we have the divine right to call him father

we come into God’s family

there are no slaves in God’s family

No Fear

slavery brings fear

yet we are no longer slaves

so no fear means that we are more than conquerors

no fear means we have a spirit of power, of love and self discipline

Romans 8:16 NIV

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

The Spirit of Truth

the scripture tells us that we are children of God

yet there is something more powerful than mere words

there is this testimony between the Holy Spirit and our spirit

there is a certainty , an assurance deep in our spiriual being

there is a sense of belonging and of love

this cannot be matched by human or worldly means

Romans 8:17 NIV

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Co-Heirs with Christ

there is no doubt we are God’s children

we are firmly adopted into the family of God

sonship means that we have a divine right to the inheritance of the Father

important point - there is no male nor female in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:28)

hence every man and every woman of faith is equally a heir

co-heir with Christ gives a special dimension

it is nothing to scoff at but the Father considers us equal with Christ

equal in sharing the blessings of God but not equal in authority

Christ’s shed blood gives him that honour

Galatians 3:29 NIV

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Heirs of Promise

the promise has been fulfilled

Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness

Paul reinforces his message of chapter 4

the promise comes only through Jesus

Galatians 4:4–7 NIV

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

simple gospel message

Jesus came to redeem those under the law

Romans and Galatians resonate together - no longer a slave, child of God

take it as gospel - this is truth PLUS

Titus 3:5–8 NIV

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Trustworthy Saying

we must keep coming back to this

because of his mercy, he saved us!

trust in God then be careful to devote oneself

do what is good

be led by the Spirit is the key