Reflection on Romans 8:12-17

Scripture

God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves to who are afraid of Him. Instead we become His children and call Him “Father”.

Observation

Walking with God carries both privileges and responsibility- both come as the result of being called His children.

The privilege is that He calls us His children. He gives us the holy Spirit to assure us of our salvation and our position. He gives us the freedom that children have in a household.

Whereas outsiders or slaves of God might be fearful of God Almighty we have the spirit of sonship. Knowing that we are loved brings confidence in our relationship.

But Paul reminds us that privilege also has responsibility. If we are children of God, then we must live that way. We have to imitate our Father in the same way that children naturally imitates their father.

Application

It's easy to focus on the parts of the gospel that we like and ignore the parts that require some kind of obedience.

How does my life reflect the glory, holiness and compassion of God?

The Father is constantly desiring that we imitate Jesus in all parts of our life. He gives us the Spirit to make this possible. But God's Spirit is not a spirit of slavery. He gives us the freedom to be like Jesus or to go our own way.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and fill me. I yield myself to your ways. Whisper your words of encouragement and conviction and correction. I choose the way of sonship and I ask you to make me more like my Father every day. Amen.

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