Sonship and Life Through The Spirit - Romans 8:12-17

Sonship and Life Through the Spirit: Romans 8:12-17

^{12 "}Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 

¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to 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

The Holy Spirit Solution to Problem of The Flesh: Romans 8:12-13

How The Spirit Gives Life To Your Mortal Body

The solution to the problem of the flesh is the Holy Spirit. He gives "life to your mortal bodies". Being spiritually minded means overcoming the deadness of the body and experiencing life and peace. this is the resurrection life (see Philippians 3:10).

Death in verse 13 does not refer to physical death, because those who live according to the Spirit also die physically. It refers to the experience of those who live their lives apart from God.

Walking by the Spirit vs. Living According to the Flesh

By the Spirit: By walking according to the Spirit (v.4), by being spiritually minded (v. 6), the believer can "put to death" sinful deeds and live for God. (v. 13)

Being led by the Spirit is virtually synonymous with  walking according to the Spirit.

Active Participation and Effort: The Believer's Role in Spiritual Growth 

"Walking" highlights the active participation and effort of the believer.

Being Led by the Spirit: Submissive Dependance on God

"Being led" underscores the passive side, the submissive dependance of the believer on the Spirit.

"these are the children of God": Those led by the Spirit are God's children, and the sovereign Lord, in turn, is their Father (see 2 Corinthians 6:18) (v. 14)

Why Believers Are Children of God: Romans 8:14-15

Believers are children of God because they received the Spirit of adoption. In ancient Rome, an adopted son would possess all the rights of a son born into the family.

Christians Adopted Into God's Family by the Spirit

Christians have been adopted into God's family, by the Holy Spirit you received, giving you an eternal inheritance. 

Abba Father: Jesus' Model of Intimate Prayer

Abba: Jesus Himself prayed to God using this Aramaic word for Father (Mark 14:36).

The Holy Spirit Bears Witness to Our Sonship: Romans 8:16 

A further indication of believer's Sonship is that the Holy Spirit "bears witness with" their spirits. When believers cry out to the Father in prayer (v. 15) the Holy Spirit intercedes for them (see v. 26). 

All God's Children Are Joint Heirs With Christ: Our Eternal Inheritance: Romans 8:17

"heirs": All of God's children have an inheritance based on their relationship to God, which is incorruptible, undefiled, and reserved in heaven (see Peter 1:4). Their inheritance includes an expectation of eternal life (see Titus 3:4-7).

God's Children Are Joint Heirs With Christ: Sharing in Christ's Suffering and Glory

As joint heirs with Christ, they share His suffering now (Philippians 3:10), and will share His Glory later (Philippians 3:11-14).