“For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God.” Romans 8:14-16 AMP

One of the many changes that came in our lives was we were adopted into the Family of God. It all came about when we turned our life over to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke about this early in the book of John.

“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—” John 1:12 AMP

The word received used here is the Greek word meaning “to bring under control one’s own initiative; or to take control of oneself.” Before the moment of salvation, we were unable to take control of ourselves! We were forever locked in the cycle of sin and death. There came a moment of clarity that allowed us to make a choice between the gift of God or the penalty of death. The word also carries the legal meaning of “acquiring something as a result of a judgement.” If you filed a lawsuit and were awarded a settlement you were entitled to something. In our case, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin and in exchange we are entitled to the settlement of that case, “the authority, the privilege to become children of God!” That however was only the beginning! Notice what it says in our opening verse.

“For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 AMP

This fits perfectly with the verse in John! We are now allowing the Spirit of God to lead us.  It is a daily choice that each of us must make. This means that we can chose not to allow the Spirit of God to lead us! If we are allowing the Spirit of God to lead us, then we are walking in the reality of our new relationship. Look what the Apostle Paul wrote earlier in the chapter.

“So then,  brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]– 13for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever.” Romans 8:12-13 AMP

We are often called hypocrites for walking in the newness of our life. The reality is that when we do not walk in the newness of our lives we are being hypocrites! The truth to this freedom and relationship we now have can be found in our opening verse. “15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” We must unlearn our ways of following the spirit of slavery in which we once walked. Satan our enemy would have us believe that that can never be! Jesus claimed the words given by the Prophet Isaiah in chapter 61 verse 1.

“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (the Messiah), BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE RELEASE (pardon, forgiveness) TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy),” 19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].” 20Then He rolled up the scroll [having stopped in the middle of the verse], gave it back to the attendant and sat down [to teach]; and the eyes of all those in the synagogue were [attentively] fixed on Him. 21He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.” Luke 4:19-21 AMP

Because of the finished work of Christ, you are now entitled to the settlement…your freedom. Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken