"The Adopted Child"

“The Adopted Child”

 

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.  For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  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.”  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  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 8:13-17

 

The Apostle Paul tells the believers in Rome, about their ADOPTION into God’s family. He begins with how they should live their lives.  He tells them that to live according to the flesh, will bring them death.  Paul doesn’t mean that the TRUE BELIEVER of Christ, who might be living in sin, would die an ETERNAL DEATH in Hell, but that they would NOT enjoy the blessings of living a SPIRIT-FILLED life now and would miss out on receiving any future, ETERNAL REWARDS in Heaven.  They would miss out on being LED by God’s Spirit and enjoying the FREEDOM of being REDEEMED.  Instead, they would live a life of SHAME and GUILT, like an UNBELIEVER.  But if by the Spirit of God, you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, and will be considered a Child of God.

 

 

The Spirit of God brings ADOPTION into God’s Holy Family to ALL TRUE BELIEVERS.  And because of this SPECIAL relationship with God, we are able to cry “ABBA, Father.”  This is a very endearing and intimate title, indicating the type of relationship we have with our Father God.  And because of this SPECIAL relationship the Spirit Himself, testifies that we are God’s children.

 

And since we are God’s children, we are also HEIRS---Heirs of our Father God and CO-Heirs with Christ Jesus, if we are willing to share in His sufferings, so that we might be able to share in His glory.  This also means, to be able to make sacrifices, and to put the well-being of others before our own.  To LIVE for Christ, and to exemplify His LOVE, MERCY and GRACE to a LOST and DYING WORLD. 

 

Have you received your ADOPTION into God’s Holy Family?  Are you considered His Child, His Heir and co-heir with Christ Jesus, to ALL the glories of Heaven?   In order to receive all of these SPECIAL BLESSINGS, you MUST come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become His ADOPTED CHILD, HEIR, and CO-HEIR with Christ Jesus.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!