Spirit of Sonship
Spirit of Sonship. What are the implications of sonship with God? Those who are not believers should, in reality, live in terror of God. The very God who made them has the right to condemn them to an eternity of torment and the complete absence of God.
12 Therefore, brothers, we have
an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to
it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but
if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will
live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to
fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.
And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with
our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then
we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share
in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:12-17 NIV
Spirit of Sonship
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." What are the implications of receiving sonship?
Those
who are not believers should, in reality, live in terror of God. The
very God who made them has the right to condemn them to an eternity of
torment and the complete absence of God. In this world, both the just
and unjust receive many blessings from God; the very world we live in
bears testimony of that. Look at the beauty of nature, the joy of new
birth, the love of a spouse, success in business, a healthy body, and
the list goes on. In eternity, however, the unbelievers will be cast
into an abyss that is totally devoid of God. None of the blessings of
this world will follow them there.
For believers, with sonship
comes many blessings, not only in this life but also in the life to
come. On this earth, we do not need to live in terror of God. As a
matter of fact, the term "Abba, Father" [Papa, Daddy] conveys a
closeness and familiarity with God.
Now
if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with
Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also
share in his glory.
No matter what your circumstances of life, as God's children you share in His glory. On this earth that may also mean that you experience much suffering! As we share in the glories of God, so do we also share in the sufferings of Christ. This is especially true when we suffer for our faith; remember, the world hates God, so it also hates His children.
Pray today that you would rejoice in the Sonship we have with God and remember this wonderful promise from Psalm 30.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5 KJV
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