Today’s Reading from God’s Word: Romans 8.12-17

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. Romans 8.12-13

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!” Romans 8.14-15

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. Romans 8.16-17

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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!” Romans 8.15

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, Romans 8.14-16

1 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9.1

3 “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 2 Samuel 9.3-4

6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 2 Samuel 9.6-7

8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 2 Samuel 9.8

9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 2 Samuel 9.9-10

11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. 2 Samuel 9.11

This is how God adopts us today.

17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6.17-18

Background of Romans 8

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8.1

34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8.34-35, 37

8.2-3 - sets us free from sin and death. How The Holy Spirit Establishes Assurance 8.2-3 - sets us free from sin and death. 8.4 - enables us to fulfill the law. 8.5-11 - helps us in sanctification. 8.12-13 - equips and empowers for victory. 8.17-25 - He guarantees our glory. 8.26-27 - He intercedes for us.

8.14-16 - The Spirit confirms our adoption.

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8.16

8.14 Led By theSpirit

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8.14

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. Romans 8.13

Are you seeing victory over sin in your life? 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. Are you seeing victory over sin in your life? Romans 8.13

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3.5-6

25.4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 25.9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 143.10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! Psalm 25.4, 9; 143.10

16 Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit. 17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48.16-17

23 I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10.23

The Spirit leads us through the word of God.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3.16

35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. 133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119.35, 133

It is about an active response to what God says.

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8.14

Led is continual. This references a way of life. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Led is continual. This references a way of life. Romans 8.14

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5.16-17

8.15 Freed By the Spirit

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!” Romans 8.15

3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah. Psalm 77.3

God does not subject us to the bondage of fear.

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 Timothy 4.7; 1 John 4.18

God sets our heart free from the fear of punishment...

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!” Romans 8.15

8.16 The Spirit Bears Witness

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8.16

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8.33-35a

4 he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter 1.4

Virtues come as we follow His leading and live in the freedom He’s given us.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1.8

9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 2 Peter 1.9

10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1.10-11

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8.1

18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3.18

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 1 John 3.19-20

21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3.21-22

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. 1 John 3.23-24

23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. 1 John 3.23-24