The Spirit Himself Testifies with Our Spirit that we are God's Children—Romans 8:16

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:16)

Our belonging to the family of God is more than a feeling. God didn't leave confirmation for something this important based on the whims of emotions. If we had to rely on our natural feelings and sentiment to confirm that we belonged to Christ then we would live in constant fear and doubt. We would never be settled into a state of confidence before the Lord.

However, Paul stressed in Romans 8 that everyone who is led by the Spirit of God is a child of God ( Romans 8:14 ). Not only so, but today he reveals that the Holy Spirit is given to us to testify to our hearts this very fact ( Romans 8:16 ). This is amazing! He uses the fullness of the Godhead to show, confirm and preserve our status in his family. We belong to Christ period! It is not up for negation. It is not dependent upon how we feel. It is dependent upon who God is.

Isaiah prophesied that we would be given an everlasting name through Christ Jesus. "to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off" ( Isaiah 56:5 ). This promise was fulfilled through Jesus. The scriptures say that by believing in Jesus through faith we have been born into God's family. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" ( John 1:12-13 ). Being born of God, means that we have an everlasting name that will never be cut off from Him. We can rest assured in this promise because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts to testify with our spirits that we belong to Him.

By belonging to God, we receive all the rights and privileges of being his children. It is so much more than looking forward to our future in heaven. We can enjoy life with Him today. We have been fully equipped for life right now on this earth. He has given us everything we need to live a godly life completely pleasing to him in every way. He has given us the power to live in victory through the rights that come with being of his seed. "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" ( I John 5:4-5 ). He has given us faith to overcome the anything and everything that world throws our way. I John 3 says the reason that Jesus came was to destroy the works of the devil ( I John 3:8 ). Since they are destroyed, he have given us the Holy Spirit to see those works destroyed in our lives as well. God has called us out of the kingdom of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son ( Colossians 1:13 ). He did this because of his great love for us. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" ( I John 3:1 ).

Aren't you glad that your rights as God's child wasn't left to emotions and feelings. He guaranteed it through the Holy Spirit which he sent into your heart to continually confirm that you are His child. He is speaking love over you. He is pouring grace upon you. He has given you world overcoming power to live a life of victory in this present time. May this revelation of your sonship bless you today and change your future ! Amen.

 

Previous: Romans 8:15  Next: Romans 8:17

Juli Camarin

My passion is to share as the Word of God [ read more ]

The Gospel 

This is the MOST IMPORTANT link you'll ever click [ read more ]

My Mission 

My mission is spreading the gospel of Jesus [ read more ]

Subscribe 

Subscribe & receive each post in your inbox [ subscribe now ]