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7. We are Children of God through the Dwelling of the Holy Spirit in us (Romans 8:12-17)
ROMANS 8:12-14
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
The Holy Spirit does not conclude a truce with the multitude of selfishness which dwells in you, but he fights it until it is removed. The Spirit of God will leave you unless you accept your death on the cross of Christ, and die to your pride, anger, exaggerations, and all your sins and offenses. The believer must not be bound by money or amusement so that he may be free and open to the Spirit of his Lord. The Holy One works in you, as a surgeon who removes the boils from the body of man. He cuts it open, and eradicates the corruption. In such a manner, the Spirit of God pushes you from darkness to light, from lying to truthfulness, from amusement to the presence of God. Do you feel his guidance? Do you hear his merciful voice? He intends to convert and purify you completely, and change you into the image of the merciful Christ. The miracle of sanctification by the Spirit of God appears in you through love, joy, and peace, which are founded on humility, abstinence, and meekness, together with all the characteristics of Christ, as if you are dressed with your pure Savior. When this kind Spirit flows in your soul, you become a son of God. Do you recognize the great privilege that, despite your sinfulness, you have become a true child of the Creator of the universe through the blood and Spirit of Christ? Do you dare to say that you are a son of God? For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
ROMANS 8:15-17
15 For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 17 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 with him.
The Holy Spirit removes fear, despair, pessimism, stress, and disturbance from you, and gives you courage, pleasure, and trust in God. He even opens your mouth to speak in the name of the Father. By this confession, you sanctify the name of God, for this is the great miracle of the new covenant; that God through Christ has revealed himself as our heavenly Father. The distant Creator, who is angered by sin, does not exhaust or overburden us, but shows us his love, and confirms to us his goodness in a fatherly form. This new divine image changes our conduct completely. The word “Abba” is an Aramaic word put into Greek letters and then transliterated into English. It means "Father." The bringing together of both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) in Christ is seen in these opening words of address in prayer.
The word “Father” explains and confirms the word, Abba.
Christ, in his great love, gave his body for us, and made us partners of his rights that the God of glory might adopt us. Imagine your name written with the blood of the Son of God on the front page of the card of admission into heaven, and on the back of the card you read: “Adopted by God”, written with the fire of the Holy Spirit, and signed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Would you forget such a unique card, neglect it, or throw it away? Or would you accept it, kiss it with tears of joy, and keep it forever?
You have lawfully and certainly become a son of the Most High through adoption, through your birth in the Spirit. The apostle Paul tells you repeatedly in his gospel, which is rich and overfilled with grace, that you will inherit God himself, because the Holy One came near to you in Jesus. He dwells in you and in all saints, and his glory will appear in us all, as Christ also dwells in you and in all his disciples, and he will beautifully reveal his glory in his followers, for God is one.
All these miracles began in us because the Holy Spirit dwelt in all the churches, which are only founded on Christ. Does his light shine in us? You have been united with God. Are you then prepared to suffer for him, as the apostles suffered greatly for the name of Christ?
PRAYER:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What is the new name of God, which the Holy Spirit teaches us? What is its meaning?