Tuesday Romans 8:12-17

Through the Holy Spirit, we can call God “Abba” (daddy).

Click here for an online Bible. Romans 8:12-17

We are in a struggle between the flesh and the spirit. When we come to Christ, we are under the spirit, but there is still a struggle. Before, we had no choice. We were slaves to sin. Now, we are no longer under the control of sin. We are supposed to be under the control of the Spirit. Paul says that under the control of the Spirit, we put to death the deeds of the body.

The way to crucify the old self is obey the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we follow Him, the desires of the sinful self are not met. They are put to death.

Verse 14 is pretty blunt. “All of those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.” Those who have faith in Christ are led by the Holy Spirit. Conversely, those who are not led by the Holy Spirit are not children of God. The mark of a true believer is being led by the Holy Spirit. It is not a question of having done a religious thing or prayed a specific prayer. A person who is a follower of Christ is led by the Holy Spirit.

This is not to say that a follower is Christ never sins. Paul said that he struggled. But a follower of Christ is in a process of sanctification. That is, being conformed to the image of Christ – being made godly.

As children of God, the Holy Spirit testifies of our relationship with God. We are also heirs of God along with Christ. We inherit eternal life. We also inherit the family business. That business is the ministry of reconciliation of people with God (2 Corinthians 5:18). Part of the family business is the opposition of the powers of the world. Just as Jesus was opposed, we will be opposed. The opposition is spiritual in nature (Ephesians 6:12).

So, what is the way ahead? Sanctification. How do we do it? Paul told us in 1 Timothy 4:7, “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” Spiritual disciplines are something that we can do to put ourselves in places for God to work in our lives. This helps us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and to continue to put to death the sinful self.