The Witness Of The Holy Spirit.

THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Romans 8:14-17.

It is only those who are led by the Spirit of God who are manifested to be “the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Not everybody receives Jesus, nor believes in His name (John 1:11-12). Our inclusion in the family of God is on account of our faith (Galatians 3:26). So - although Paul said elsewhere, quoting the Greek poets, ‘we are all His offspring’ (Acts 17:28) - it is not the so-called and somewhat overstated ‘universal Fatherhood of God’ that the Apostle is speaking about here.

As children of God we have been translated from an area of bondage to fear (Galatians 4:3), into the freedom of a loving relationship with God (Romans 8:15). In Roman times to be ‘adopted’ was to be brought into the father’s family to inherit his estate and perpetuate his name. We have, on this analogy, been hand-picked to bear the Father’s name and reproduce His character in our lives - not on account of any worthiness on our own part, but out of His love (1 John 3:1).

We have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry: “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). This is a combination of the Aramaic and Greek words for ‘father’ and is a formula used by Jesus Himself when addressing God (Mark 14:36). The Cross stands between us and Gethsemane, and now we are enabled to address God in the same intimate manner (Galatians 4:6).

When we are thus enabled to pray, it is the Spirit Himself “bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). This is the Holy Spirit’s ministry of inward assurance, whereby He has poured out the love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit gives us assurance of both God’s love, and our son-ship.

Paul also affirms that if we are the children of God then we are also heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). The Holy Spirit is the first fruits of our inheritance (Romans 8:23), the down-payment (Ephesians 1:13-14). Our inheritance is not only what God has to offer, but God Himself (1 John 3:2).

Jesus prayed that those whom the Father has given to Him will be with Him where He is, and behold His glory (John 17:24). The path to glory was not without its sufferings for Jesus (Luke 24:26). But if indeed we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified together with Him (Romans 8:17).