May 23, 2019 -- Romans 8:14-17 -- The Holy Spirit? Who is that?

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 ESV

Who is the Holy Spirit? Bible-believing Christians know the One, True God as: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Christians are not polytheists, that is, people who believe in many gods. Rather, the Bible reveals God is One (Deut. 6:4) and as our passage shows us today we have the Father in heaven because of the sacrifice of the Son Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God is called: “the Spirit of Adoption as sons”.

There is a reason the title of the Spirit emphasizes adoption as sons. In the times when this letter was written to the Christians in Rome, daughters did not inherit, sons inherited. The recipients of the letter would have understood this. The point of this passage is that all of us who follow Jesus Christ, obeying His commands, have the testimony of the Holy Spirit speaking to our innermost being, crying “Abba, Father”.

John Calvin calls this ‘the foremost title’ or the ‘first title’ of the Holy Spirit. By this he means it is the most important title of the Holy Spirit. Think how often our own conscience speaks against us. Think how often we recognize we fail in keeping God’s commandments. How often don’t we struggle with a sense of unworthiness and God has placed His Holy Spirit in us to remind each of us: I am God’s beloved child!

Sinclair Ferguson on his reflection on this title for the Holy Spirit notes the key difference between believers and non-believers. In a time of crisis both the non-believer and the believer might cry out to God. The non-believer would say something like: “God, if you are there…” while the believer cries out: “God, my Father, help…” This is the glorious work of the Spirit of adoption as sons.

Spirit of God living in my heart, thank You for Your witness reminding me always and in every crisis wherever and whenever I need to hear it, I am God’s beloved child because of the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Increase my faith. Let the joy of my salvation, anchored securely in heaven where Jesus is seated, fill my words and thoughts this day. Amen.