The Spirit of Adoption

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.- Romans 8:14‭-‬17 ESV

Rev. Dan Whang

God is our true, perfect heavenly Father. All that we do is in response to our father. We are empowered by the Spirit to fight sin. Paul brings us our status with God to encourage us. It is to assure us. Paul brings up adoption as the picture of fatherhood.

Christianity is about being brought into a family. This brings along privileges as children in God's family.

The certainty of our adoption

If you are being led by the Spirit to fight sin, then you are children of God. This is the leading of the Spirit. We learn to dispise sin and kill it. It is not looking for making the best decision for careers, dating, marriage, buying a house, etc. It is the desire to fight sin in our lives.

We are sure of our adoption because of the great cost. Our adoption was paid for by the blood of Jesus. It doesn't matter what we've done or who we are. The cross tells us that we are God's children. No doubt.

The characteristics of our adoption

There are two spirits. The spirit of slavery makes us fearful. But adoption gives a sense of intimacy, discipline and family resemblance. The call to God is not a quiet recitation, but the cry of a child to their father.

Does your spiritual walk today lack joy? Then cry out to God. God will happily answer your prayer for joy in following God.

Parents discipline their kids. Fathers will place their kids in challenging situations and help us to grow. Only illegitimate children are left to their own devices. God will sometimes place is into difficult situations to help us avoid more painful situations later. This is God's love for us.

The pain of discipline is not pointless. God does this to purify us and make us holy. This is so that we begin to resemble God more and more in our life. This is the long direction of the Christian's life.

The confirmation of our adoption

The Holy Spirit reminds us that we are children of God. Not only do we witness ourselves to God's love, but the Holy Spirit testifies as well. So when we are discouraged, God's Spirit pushes us to remember our status. We are children of God.

Not only this, but we will suffer. We will suffer along with Christ. Not First World Problems, but suffering for Christ. Insults, shame, and even threats of death. That is guaranteed. Are we too comfortable? Do we exhibit the light of Christ to the world?

In addition to this suffering, we also inherit glory. We will be perfect and have a place in heaven with Jesus. The riches of God are ours. A place where we will be fully accepted and welcomed forever.