The Spirit Gives Life and Sonship

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

The Spirit Gives Life and Sonship

Date: Apr. 28, 2015

Passage

Romans 8:9-17 (ESV)

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

First, new life and new obligation (9-13). God's word teaches that the Holy Spirit lives in everyone who has put their trust and faith in Christ. And wherever the spirit lives there is life - both now and in the future. Because of the righteousness we have in Christ, we have been made spiritually alive. Christ lives in us and it is wonderful and new. One day, our bodies will be made alive as well. The perishable will be raised imperishable! This too is by the power of the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. In light of this, how should we live? Because of God's deep and amazing grace, we are obligated to live holy lives. On our own, this is impossible. But the Spirit gives us the necessary power to put to death the misdeeds of our body.

Second, a new identity (14-17). Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we have been restored to the most precious relationship with God that could ever be conceived. Life under the law is one of perpetual fear, but those who are led by the Spirit of God have been adopted as sons and live new lives as the children of God. We can turn to the Almighty, Holy Creator and cry out "Abba, Father!" We can come to the Father as Jesus did! The Holy Spirit assures us and testifies to our spirit that indeed this is true. Even more, we have been made heirs with Christ.

Prayer: Father, thank you for our life through the Spirit.

One Word: We have been made children of God!

A Satanic Threat

2 Kings 18:17-37

Key Verse: 18:36

But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”

Today's Question

What benefits do those who are effectively called share in this life?

See answer and references