Romans 8:14-17...

14 "For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 "You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 "The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 "and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” ()

Last time we were in this passage we spoke of two obligations that we all have. The first one was the truth that we are not obligated to live according to the flesh because it’s been crucified with Christ.

And we also received a sobering warning in v13 (the first half) that if we live according to the flesh, what’s it say? We’ll die!

Then we saw the second obligation which is to live in step with God’s Spirit in the killing of our sin!

And moving from the sobering warning

we embrace the glorious and precious promise made

to those who walk in step with the Spirit’s power in killing our sin:

“you will live” eternally forever in the presence of Christ!

Here in our text today, we read of some very special and select treatment of God’s people.

God as you know in a very general sense works by sustaining and governing all things, especially the human race.

The special work of God is seen in Him commencing the salvation of His people and also the perfecting of that salvation in the life to come.

God operates in a very special manner upon His people. For example: 10 "... God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” ()

Or the psalmist: 15 "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help.” ()

The Lord sees everyone, but there is a favor upon which He watches closely those who are in Christ.

And our text speaks of that very special working of God in leading us by His Spirit.

"For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.” ()

God’s grace comes to us and leads us and grants to us this amazing title of “sons” Whose son? “God’s sons”! This is wonderful!

V14 comes off the heels of verse 13 which serves to define who are those led by God’s Spirit?

They are the ones actively engaged in warfare against their sin! Those are the children of God!

Those are the ones being led by God’s Spirit!

"For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.” ()

The Spirit of God calls us and empowers to to live godly lives.

Every child of God is being led by the Spirit.

Everyone who is being led by the Spirit is a child of God.

Those who are being led by the Spirit are the people who are described as

being in Christ Jesus (8:1),

walking according to the Spirit (verse 4),

being Spirit-indwelt (verses 9, 11), and

putting to death the disgraceful deeds of the body (verse 13).

Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Vol. 12–13, p. 256). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.