23 July

It is to those who receive Jesus, to those who believe in his name, that he gives ‘the right to become children of God’ (John 1:12). You become a child of God not by being born, but by being born again by the Spirit. If Romans is the ‘Himalayas’ of the New Testament, then Romans 8 is its Mount Everest and its summit is these verses where Paul describes how those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God (Romans 8:14–17).

• Highest status
  There is no higher status than to be a child of God (v.14). Under Roman law, if an adult wanted an heir he could either choose one of his own sons or adopt a son who would take his name. God has only one begotten Son – Jesus – but he has many adopted sons and daughters. You have been adopted into God’s family. There is no status in the world that compares with the privilege of being a child of the Creator of the universe.
• Closest intimacy
  You have the closest possible intimacy with God. Paul says that by the Spirit we cry ‘Abba, Father’ (v.15). This Aramaic word may well have been the first word that Paul ever spoke, and the way in which he addressed his earthly father. Jesus used ‘Abba’ in speaking to God in a distinctive way. It expresses both deep respect and deep intimacy, and is perhaps best thought of as ‘Daddy’ or ‘Papa’. In large parts of the Middle East it is still the first word children are taught.
  
  As God’s child you are no longer a slave of fear but an adopted child of God (v.15). You can enjoy the closest possible intimacy with your Father in heaven.
• Deepest experience
  The Spirit gives you the deepest possible experience of God. ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children’ (v.16). In the same way that I want my children to know and experience my love for them and my relationship with them, so God wants his children to be assured of that love and of that relationship. ‘God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are’ (v.16, MSG).
• Greatest security
  To be a son or daughter of God is the greatest security. For if we are children of God we are also ‘heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ’ (v.17a). Under Roman law an adopted son would inherit his estate.
  
  As children of God we are heirs. The only difference is that we inherit, not on the death of our father, but on our own death. You will enjoy an eternity of love with Jesus: ‘And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us – an unbelievable inheritance!’ (v.17, MSG).