“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭17‬

This is one of the richest and most beautiful passages. In it, the apostle Paul explains the believer’s intimate and permanent relationship with God as a beloved child. Through Paul, the Spirit of God describes every Christian as a child and son of God. As children, we are in God’s family; as sons, we have both privilege and responsibility. Paul reminds us that those who are in God’s family are led by the Spirit, have access to God as our Father, and are granted inner assurance by the Holy Spirit.

As I understand it, the word in Romans 8:14 has the thought of being “willingly led.” In other words, there is a yielding process on our part. We can connect this with the teaching of Galatians 5:16-26, where we read again about being led by the Spirit in 5:18. Neither of these passages is speaking to a special class of people. They are speaking about what should characterize each and every one who professes to follow Christ!

This is an amazing passage. It teaches us that the moment we enter the family of God, we are not seen simply as babies in Christ. A baby can’t talk, walk, make decisions, or draw on the family wealth! We can walk and be led by the Spirit. We have liberty to follow the Spirit’s leading. We can speak and cry out, “Abba, Father.”

First, the Spirit cries “Abba, Father” in us (Gal. 4:6). Then He cries through us as we cry, “Abba, Father.” It is proof of a relationship. In Romans 5:1-2 we are taught, “having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Again, in Ephesians 3:12 we are reminded, “we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”

As children of God, we can draw on His spiritual wealth. We are not only heirs but joint heirs with Christ: whatever is His will be shared! How amazing! What is required on our part is to be “willingly yielded up to Him” if we are to enjoy our privileged position in Christ. Don’t leave this up to a select few; it is for every Christian!

To give us further assurance of our eternal relationship with the Father, the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. The Holy Spirit is constantly present to provide inner testimony to our divine adoption and eternal position before God. He does this by working in us through illumination and sanctification, as well as through our longing for fellowship with the Father.

Paul may have in mind here the truth of the fruit of the Spirit, which he emphasizes in Galatians 5:22-23. The Holy Spirit produces this fruit in us, and it provides evidence that we belong to God.

Anchor For Today:
As believers, we have the privilege of being led by the Spirit, enjoying access to our Father, and resting in the Spirit’s assurance that we belong to Him.