relationship

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: 14-17

Paul reassures believers in these verses that our identity as part of God's family is secure! We become family, for he tells us that believers who are led by the Spirit truly become God's childen. Now this isn't a badge or some token label that we can tag onto ourselves, rather it's a deep relationship thats rooted in spiritual adoption!

Paul says that through the Spirit we are set free from bondage as he contrasts the Spirit's work with that of slavery and fear, be it legalism (religious laws), fear of punishment or despair. He assures us that the Spirits presence within us drives out fear replacing it with confidence and intimacy with Him.

Our adoption to son / daughtership is so much more than a legal contract, simply because it's a bond forged through God's divine love for us. In this we can call God 'Abba', just like a child speaking to its loving parent. By this, just like a child, we have total trust, love and intimacy with out Father in heaven.

With the Spirit living within us our spirit is nurtured internally, growing us daily in the knowledge that we are God's children. This inner conviction strengthens our faith reassuring us that we are part of God's family.

Paul goes as far as to declare that we are God's 'heirs', and 'co-heirs' with Jesus. This inheritence is received the moment we believe and is also a future hope that encompasses all of God's promises for us! As believers living in this world, we must carry our own cross and therefore will suffer just as Christ suffered. This reality underscores the unity and the cost involved in our divine adoption, and so Paul urges us to remain steadfast.

In our adoption into God's family, all believers can rejoice, living confidently in our identity as children of God, enbracing both the challenges that we face and the glory of being co-heirs with Christ.

With our trust completly in God, and our hand firmly holding his, we can trample lifes seas of chaos and walk on water!

Have a super week, stay strong, and God bless,

Trev.