Are You Freed To Sonship?

Are You Freed To Sonship?

Text: Romans 8:12-18

Introduction

One may think that after one has repented, believed and given their life over to Christ that they will not have to be very concerned with the flesh making any more demand on their life…NOT SO!!!

1) You Are Freed To A New Debt

VERSES 12-13

Notice Paul’s audience; BRETHREN.

What does it mean to be DEBTORS to the Spirit?

It is not like Jesus gives you a PAYMENT BOOK and expects you to pay him back for the salvific and sanctifying work of the Spirit.

This debt is not a PAY ME BACK kind of debt, but rather a MOTIVATION to live in obedience to ME.

“Debtors” = One who is under obligation in a moral or social sense; liable

Why would Paul spend his time reaffirming to these Roman believers to whom they should only respond to with obedience.

Even after one’s conversion, obedience to the flesh still brings one closer to death.

(BEC): It is not enough for us to have the Spirit; the Spirit must have us! Only then can He share with us the abundant, victorious life that can be ours in Christ.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we walked around with the power to remove evil from the world? WE DO…the evil we ourselves create.

(V13) extended living is granted to the believer who “puts to death” the “deed of the body.”

How can this be accomplished???

“By the Spirit”

Remember, the new law the believer is under gives life, joy, and peace.

2) You Are Freed To Receive Adoption

VERSES 14–18

(V14) Paul is telling you that you who are led by the Spirit have a garauntee of sonship with the Father.

means “willingly led.” We yield to the Spirit, and He guides us by His Word day by day. We are not under bondage to Law and afraid to act. We have the liberty of the Spirit and are free to follow Christ. (Warren Weirsbe)

You might ask, “How do I know which Spirit dwells within me? Because, I often times have feelings of not being so saved and feelings of just not thinking I can live out my professed Christianity.

Notice verse 15:

The spirit of the old bondage CAN NOT return to those who have been set free by Jesus.

If it were possible, that would be called “double jeopardy.” You can’t be tried twice for the same crime.

(V15) Spirit of adoption — means “being placed as an adult son.” We come into God’s family by birth. But the instant we are born into the family, God adopts us and gives us the position of an adult son. (Warren Weirsbe)

Illustration: (BEC): Would it not be amazing if a newborn baby looked up and greeted his father!

A baby cannot walk, speak, make decisions, or draw on the family wealth. But the believer can do all of these the instant he is born again. (Warren Weirsbe)

(V15) Notice how the believer is positioned to where they are able to address the Father with endearment.

Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

(V16) How blessed we are to have God the Spirit going with us in order that we can escape any doubt that may creep in about our salvation.

This truth of being CHILDREN of God is HUGE!

(v17) Jesus was raised so that He would be the FIRST BORN among many brethren!!!

First born received the greater inheritance.

Through the Spirit, we are able to join Him in that inheritance!!!

Yes, we do suffer with Christ, yet we are joint heirs (we will glorified together with Him.)

Conclusion

Quote: There is no need for the believer to be defeated. He can yield his body to the Spirit and by faith overcome the old nature. The Spirit of life will empower him. The Spirit of death will enable him to overcome the flesh. And the Spirit of adoption will enrich him and lead him into the will of God. (Warren Weirsbe)