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Pastor's Blog May 27, 2021
"View of God in Romans XII"
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You've probably heard that you are a child of God and you belong to him. Many Christians claim to believe this, but they often struggle to know how they can be sure it's true. Did you know that God gives you the tangible proof of this reality by the Holy Spirit? In Romans 8:14-17, Paul outlines two realities: that we are sons and daughters of God, and that God considers himself to be our "dad."
Paul repeatedly states that we are God's children: those led by the Spirit "are sons of God" (verse 14); we "have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'" (verse 15); the Spirit testifies "that we are children of God" (verse 16); and we are "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (verse 17). These are not mere hopes or wishful expressions, but rather statements of fact. According to Paul, we are ALREADY sons and daughters of God! But how do we know that we are God's beloved sons and daughters? Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit!
The Holy Spirit leads God's children into conformity with his will (verses 12-14); the Holy Spirit teaches us to recognize God as our "Abba" - our divine dad (verse 15); the Holy Spirit witnesses to us of the FACT that we are God's children (verse 16); and the Holy Spirit makes us heirs of God and fellow heirs with Jesus (verse 17).
Similarly, Paul repeatedly indicates that we belong to God - that God really and truly wants us as his friends and part of his family! We call God "Abba" because God has already adopted us as his beloved sons and daughters (verse 15); and we are fellow heirs with Jesus because God wants to make us equal partners with Christ in the kingdom that he is going to inherit (verse 17). But how do we know that we ALREADY belong to God and are wanted and desired by him? Again, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit! It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us that we are already adopted by God and have been made heirs with Jesus (verses 15 and 17)!
Friends, you already have the Holy Spirit. Since God shows you through the Spirit that you belong to him, you can be sure and know that you are already God's precious and most loved son or daughter in Jesus.
God bless,
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
