for all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. for you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs– heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. [romans 8:14-17]
who is the Spirit of God?
the unique individual of the triune God (the trinity, God in three persons), who has existed for all eternity past, was the agent in the creation of the world, along with the Father and Son, with whom he is equal in holiness, although he has a different, unique role, played out in perfect union and harmony with them. he is also the agent of the creation of new life within us as the Father calls us to himself. he himself lives within us, preparing us for eternal life with God through the inheritance we share with Christ Jesus.
what does the Spirit do? (all these passages are in romans.)
sets us free from the law of sin and death. (8:2)
gives us an eternal perspective to live and walk by. (8:4-5)
gives us life and peace. (8:6)
lives within us. (8:9)
shows us that we belong to God. (8:9)
gives us life because of God’s righteousness. (8:10)
brings us resurrection now, in our flesh. (8:11)
allows us to put earthly deeds to death. (8:13)
leads us. (thoughts, desires, words, actions) (8:14)
casts out fear. (8:15)
causes us to call God our Father. (8:15)
shows us that we are children of God. (8:16)
guarantees our inheritance with Christ. (8:17)
allows us to suffer well in this flesh. (8:17)
gives us the freedom of the glory of the children of God, both Jew and Gentile. (8:21-23)
helps us in our weakness. (8:26)
intercedes for us in our prayers, speaking the language we cannot. (8:26-27)
keeps us forever in the love of Christ through his intercession for us. (8:27-39)
take some time to thank God for the Spirit who lives in us and gives us all of these things. praise him for his plan of redemption that he has been working since the beginning of creation.
what does the Spirit look like in us? how do we know we are living in him?
but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. galatians 5:22
take some time to consider these fruits in your life. do they show up only in times of comfort and ease? do you ever see them in times of suffering? be honest, then ask the Lord to loom large in your heart and life. ask for fruit. ask for a heart like his. he will surely do it.
~arwen eastman