The Spirit of Adoption: The Joy & Security of the Believer

Paul’s main aim is to prove to us why there is no possibility of condemnation for the believer. If we are in Christ then we have full assurance that we will never again face the condemnation of God.

Primary to Paul’s argument for the assurance of our salvation is the gift and work of the Holy Spirit. Key to the assurance of the believer is the ministry of the Holy Spirit of God. In vv. 2-13 the ruling idea of the ministry of the Spirit is that of LIFE. Paul teacher us that we have been given the Spirit of life because of our salvation.

Why are those under the dominion of the Holy Spirit guaranteed eternal life?

V. 1- No condemnation

v. 2- Law of the Spirit of life has set you free

This Law of the Spirit of life is made possible by the grace of God in our justification (vv. 3-4)

In our sanctification (vv. 5-8)

And in our glorification (vv. 9-11)

V. 13- If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.

The ministry of life is the central theme to these first 14 verses. Now in vv. 14-17 Paul changes the central theme and talks about the ministry of the Holy Spirit not in terms of the life we receive, but in terms of the sonship we receive. Adoption as children, adoption as sons is the central ministry of the Holy Spirit in view in vv. 14-17. And this ministry of the Holy Spirit provides joy and security (ASSURANCE) for the believer.

Why is this so true? How does the Holy Spirit secure such joy and security for the believer?

Paul wants us to understand three truths that form links in a theological chain. And this chain provides us with joy and security and assurance of our salvation.

I. If you are being led by the Holy Spirit, then you have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit (vv. 13-14)

Paul is working out the joy and security that believers who are united to Christ enjoy. And he is doing so by using an unbreakable chain of theological truth. And the first link in the chain is the idea of being indwelt with Holy Spirit. Are you indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God?

Everyone who has trusted Christ as their Savior has already been indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. This is part of the gracious gift of our Salvation.

How do you know, or what tests are there to determine if you have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Paul gives us two (that are really two sides of the same coin) in vv. 13-14.

The first test is this:

Romans 8:13 ESV

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Those of us who have been united to Christ in Salvation and thus graciously given the gift of the indwelling Spirit of God will give evidence of that gift when we by means of the Spirit put to death the deeds of the body.

It is impossible to put to death the deeds of the body without being indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God.

Putting to death the deeds of the body is made possible by the grace of God given to us in our union with Christ. Because of our union with Christ we are given the gift of the indwelling Spirit and it is that alone that makes putting to death the deeds of the body possible. That was Paul’s argument in vv. 4-10.

If you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God you will walk according to the Spirit, you will set your mind on the things of the Spirit, you will do the things that please God, you will have a mindset that is at peace with God, you will have a willingness to submit to God, you currently belong to God, and thus you will have life because of righteousness (8:4-10)

But on the other hand we must really put to death the deeds of the body. There is a divine mystery between the sovereign working of the Spirit in our life and our own human responsibility.

Romans 8:4 (ESV)

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

This is a statement of our position! This is the work of God in our life. This is God’s grace and not our works! If we are in Christ, then we will walk according to the Spirit. Rom 8 5

Romans 8:5 (NASB95)

5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

This is the divine sovereignty part, this is the grace part! Salvation is all a work of God from beginning to end. And yet...

Romans 8:13 (ESV)

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

There really is a human responsibility part to our salvation. Let me be clear! It is not our work that secures our salvation. Just because we are commanded by God to put to death the deeds of the body by means of the Spirit does not mean that it is our obedience or our work that secures our salvation! By no means- our salvation is secured through the work of Christ alone.

But, if you are in Christ then the Spirit of God is within you, and if the Spirit of God is within you then you really do need to by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body. Those who are united to Christ and thus indwelt by the Spirit will put to death the deeds of the body, but and the same time we really need to do it! This is the divine mystery of the cooperation of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.

So are you indwelt by the Holy Spirit? You can know, you can have assurance that you really are indwelt by the Spirit of God if you are in the process of putting to death the deeds of the body! Is your life changing? Are you becoming more and more like Jesus in your daily living? Are your attitudes and your loves becoming more Christlike? If this is true in your life then that is evidence that the Spirit of God is within you. But, if you never see change taking place in your life. If you never can look back and see how your attitude and your heart and your love has been transformed. If you can’t see in any way a difference in the entire makeup of your person, then I would invite you to do some real soul searching.

The second test is this: Rom 8 14

Romans 8:14 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

This is the other side of the same coin. This is very closely connected to the test in v. 13.

Logical connection between v. 13 and v. 14.

If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live

for/because all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

There is a close connection between putting to death the deeds of the body by means of the Spirit and being led by the Spirit. If one is true of you then so is the other.

One is emphasizing the human responsibility of working out our salvation. We must put to death the deeds of the body.

V. 14 is emphasizing the divine sovereignty part of our sanctification.

You- put to death the deeds of the body, but how is that possible? Because your are being led by the Spirit of God.

Led- present, passive, indicative. To be led (directed) v. — to willingly undergo an action or course of action (due to the influence of a moral or spiritual guidance).

So you really do need to put to death the deeds of the body, that is your responsibility. But, the only reason you do so is because you are being led by the Holy Spirit, you are under the moral and spiritual guidance and influence of the Spirit of God. Phil 2 12-13

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Romans 8:13–14 ESV

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Second test then is this: are you being led by the Spirit of God? Is the Holy Spirit of God by means of the Word of God leading you? Are you willingly undergoing Christlike change in your life because of the influence of the Spirit of God?

If you are led by the Spirit of God, then you can have confidence that you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Why does it matter so much to know that the Spirit is in you? How does that give assurance of salvation?

Let’s look at the next link in the chain-

II. If you have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit then you are a Son of God (vv. 14-16)

Paul is building an argument like links in an unbreakable chain in order to give us as believers joy and security in our salvation. The first link in the chain is the indwelling of the Spirit. Or you could just use the word Spirit. The second link in the chain is Son or Sonship.

Romans 8:14 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

If you are indwelt by the Spirit, you will be led by the Spirit, and if you are led by the Spirit that is a distinguishing sin that you are a son of God.

Now some of you right now, especially the ladies in the room, might be tempted to add to this verse, “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God.” And I understand why that temptation is there. But, let me say this- Paul knew the Greek language. He could have easily added sons and daughters under the inspiration of the Spirit. But, he did not. And if we don’t understand why Paul only used the word “sons” here we miss an incredible theological point. Believers, both men and women, if you are led by the Spirit of God you are sons of God.

Paul used the word “sons” because he was intended to convey the idea of the privileged position of the first born son. In Jewish culture the inheritance was transferred through the sons of the family not the daughters. And the first born son received an extra measure of that inheritance. Paul wants us, both men and women, to understand that because we are united to Christ his benefits are our benefits. His inheritance is our inheritance. We are sons of God because Jesus is the Son of the Most High God. And in our union with Christ we have an entirely new position. Our position in Christ is that of Son.

And the Holy Spirit is the one who confirms this vaulted position within our hearts.

Romans 8:15 ESV

15 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!”

Paul could not have chosen a better description and illustration of the Spirit’s work in our hearts to bring us joy and security in our salvation than that of the picture of adoption.

If you are going to understand the joy and freedom of truth of the Spirit of adoption that Paul is talking about here in v. 15, then you must understand and think deeply on the concept of your identity. You have an adopted identity. You identity is bound up in Christ. Because of your union with Christ you have already been adopted into the family of God. You are God’s SON!

Illustration: Adopted For Life, pg. 25. The Story of Russell and Maria Moore who adopted two Russian boys (1 year old children) “Maxim” and “Sergei” who are now “Benjamin” and “Timothy.”

That story pictures so perfectly our own situation as adopted sons of God.

Our identity as adopted sons reminds us of where we were.

Ephesians 2:1–3 ESV

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Ephesians 2:11–12 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

In other words we were just like those two little boys in that forgotten orphanage in the middle of nowhere in Russia. Sitting alone in the dark, lying in our own filth. We were separated from the One who loves us, we were strangers, we were without God, we were without hope. Russell tells in his book that one of the eeriest things about that orphanage in Russia was that all of the children were dead silent. What is the normal response of a little baby when you leave it alone for too long? Crying, lots of crying. But, if you ignore the crying for long enough those little babies will stop. Why? Because they have learned that crying doesn’t do any good. They have lost hope.

This was our identity. But God came in and rescued us!

Ephesians 2:4–9 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Friend, if you have never experienced the love and the grace of God, if you don’t know what it is like to be pulled out of the darkness and hopelessness of your sins, then I invite you to know the love of God today! God can make you alive in Christ. God can save you out of your hopeless and helpless state. God loves you deeply. He sent his very Son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins, to pay for your sins, so that you could be forgiven. And Jesus on the third day was raise from the dead so that you too could have life. And God offers you this by His grace.

And once you accept his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, God gives to you His Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:15 (ESV)

15 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 Holy Spirit is not a spirit of slavery, but a the Spirit of adoption.

Romans 8:15 (ESV)

15 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 ministry of the Holy Spirit does not cause us to fall back into fear like a slave, but as sons of God we are given the right and the privilege to cry Abba, Father.

Abba- Aramaic

Father- Greek Why can we call God this? Because Jesus called the Father by these names. In other words the adoption process is not a legal fiction, you become real family! So much so that you can call the Almighty, Most Holy, Awesome God of the Universe— Abba, Father. Because you really have been adopted, you really are God’s son.

How do we know that truth?

Romans 8:16 ESV

16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

The Holy Spirit who indwells us bears witness with our spirit.

Bears witness- provides confirming evidence by means of a testimony.

What testimony does the Spirit use? The Word of God. The Spirit always speaks to our spirit, not by means of an audible voice but through the very words of God in the Scriptures. And what confirming evidence does the Holy Spirit provide to our spirits? That we are children of God!

Have you every experienced that? Example: Studying Hebrews 10 in my office.

Hebrews 10:15 ESV

15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

Hebrews 10:17 ESV

17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

As I thought over those simple words, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” It was like the Spirit of God very clearly impressed on my heart through the Word of God- Jon, I will remember you sins and and your lawless deeds no more. And I fell to my knees weeping in tears of joy!

Friends, has the Holy Spirit every, by means of the Word of God, born witness with you spirit that you are a child of God?

Has the Spirit of adoption ever caused to well up within you a comforting conviction that you are God’s own child? Can you cry out to God and call him Abba, Father and deeply feel and intensely experience that truth? Refutation: We have to be careful to avoid basing our the assurance of our salvation upon our feelings alone. But, also I think it unwise to base the assurance of our salvation upon facts and arguments alone. There really is a ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Adoption that bears witness with out Spirit that we are the children of God.

What if I have never experienced that? Assurance vs. Eternal Security. One is an objective fact. One is a subject spiritual blessing. Assurance comes as you grow deeper in your relationship with God through the Word. So, if you lack this then seek to know God deeply through His Word. Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom.

So fair in our theological chain or assurance we have looked at two of the links: Spirit, Son- let’s look at the third and final link in this paragraph.

III. If you are a Son of God then you are an heir of God (v. 17)

The three links of this chain of assurance are Spirit—Son—Heir. If you are led by the Spirit then you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you. If you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you and you are being led by the Spirit then you are a son of God. And if you are a son of God, if you have the Spirit of adoption within you, bearing witness with your spirit that you are a child of God, then you are also an heir.

Romans 8:17 (ESV)

17 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.

As a son of God and as God’s own child you also are an heir of God!

You will one day inherit all that God has promised you.

Ephesians 2:7 ESV

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Eons and eons from now you will still be discovering what it means to be an heir of all that God has promised. Not only an heir of God, but also we are fellow heirs or join heirs with Christ! Why? Because of our union with Christ. Because we are untied with Christ we share in the blessings of Christ. Not only do we share in his death, and his burial, and his resurrection. We also share in the inheritance of Christ! This is often times very hard for us to comprehend.

Illustration: Adopted For Life, pg. 43

The beauty of the NT teaching of adoption is that adoption doesn’t merely tell us who we are, it doesn’t only teach us about identity, adoption also teaches where we are going, it teaches us about the glory waiting for us when we finally get home.

As heirs we have an inheritance to look forward to. The problem is, like the boys in the orphanage, we don’t understand just how good that inheritance is yet.

This is why Paul prays this prayer in Eph 1:18

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

It is hard for us to grasp just how good our inheritance is. We don’t know just how glorious a harmonious Christ-ruled universe will be, when we have never seen anything like it. However, that leads to problems!

Exodus 16:1–3 ESV

1 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

What were the people of Israel saying? I wish we could go back and be slaves again! What?? Really?? But, we do the same thing don’t we?

Romans 6:6 ESV

6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Romans 6:12 ESV

12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

Why does Paul have to command this?

Romans 6:13 ESV

13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Why does Paul have to command this? Because we are just like the Israelites sometimes. We too long to go back to our old master. Why? Because we don’t yet trust God. We don’t trust how good our new home is yet. We don’t trust that what we have now is better than what we gave up. We are like the adopted boys being driven away in the car from the orphanage. Sometimes we look back to that orphanage and reach out our hands wanting to go back!

“Why would we covet what seems important to Wall Street or Hollywood or Madison Avenue when we have waiting for us mountain ranges and waterfalls and distant galaxies to rule with Christ as the resurrected sons of the new creation?” —Russell Moore

Romans 8:17 ESV

17 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.

Friends we have a wonderful inheritance to look forward to! And we have the joy and security of knowing that this is ours to experience if we know Christ. Paul has given us an unbreakable chain of assurance in our salvation. Spirit—Sonship—Heir.

Are you a Son of God? Are you God’s own child? Have you found joy and security in the Spirit of adoption? Have you embraced your identity as a son of God? Have you the eyes of your heart enlightened to the hope that you have been called to? Do you trust God who is preparing you for a truly glorious inheritance? What a wonder! What a privilege. We are united with Christ and therefore we are sons of God and joint heirs with Christ.

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