Romans 8 v 14 – 17
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. (ESV)
There are three delights of life in the Spirit:
- The delight of our Adoption
a. We have a new family (v 14).
If the Holy Spirit is in residence, it will be evident in the way we live.
b. We have a new Father (v 15).
Adoption is a beautiful picture of what the Father does for a Christian.
We have been taken out of Adam and brought forever into Christ, now having a new freedom. In Him we are brought into a close relationship with our Heavenly Father,
able to address Him as ‘Abba’, meaning ‘Daddy’. - The delight of our Assurance (v 16)
We are given priceless assurance in:
a. Our communion with the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15).
b. Our confidence in the Holy Spirit. - The delight of our Affluence (v 17)
Christians have a new standing:
a. Our privilege (Ps. 50:10-12).
The wealth of the Father belongs to believers (Luke 12:32).
This world is not our home – the glories of heaven await the Christian!
We will never be Him, but we will be made like Him.
b. Our promise
The fullness of our inheritance will not be realised until we arrive at home in our Father’s house. When we get to heaven, then we will see just how rich we are and always have been (Rev. 21-22:5).
There is no comparison between what we have now in the Spirit and what we endured in the flesh. We are a blessed people and need to be thankful.
Whatever the need of your heart may be, there is help and hope in the presence of God.