Romans 8:14 - Children of God

Romans 8:14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

As per usual, another beautiful piece of God's word. The whole bible is God's word, when we read it, it is God talking to us if we are his people. That is such a blessing, and that should be so encouraging to us! Read the bible!

"Led by the Spirit of God" - led involves submitting. We need to submit to the Holy Spirit and then be led by it. How does it lead us? Well, through the bible, directing us to know Christ/God more fully. He (The Holy Spirit) is God, and directs us to be more like God through God's word. But he also directs us in our lives if we are submitting to him, to do God's will. Ultimately the first step in being led by the Holy Spirit is being convicted of sin and thereby repenting of it. Once saved, he continues to work in us and develop us into who God wants us to be. Every Christian has the Holy Spirit in them. How can we, sinners have God living in us? God who is perfect, holy, just, who is "too pure to look on evil" (Habakkuk 1:13). How can that God live in us? Well Jesus came into the world (and he aso is God - God is three persons, but one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit). He came and died for us, took our sin and the wrath we deserved for it and he died on the cross. He took God's perfect wrath for all who are his people and he saved us - dealt with it in full so we are forgiven, viewed as righteous in God's sight, holy enough that he can live in us. Yet we still sin - but in Christ there is forgiveness and our aim is to be like God. (We are Justified - viewed as Holy in God's eyes, and we are being sanctified - becoming holy in our lives, working against sin),

But we are not only forgiven. Here's how it is. We are sinners, we disobey God. Therefore we are his enemies. We reject him, we mock him. We murdered Jesus when he came to save us (We are no better then those who murdered him). We are evil, jealous, lying, thieving creatures, we are wretched, pitiful and unable to help ourselves. We deserve only wrath. Yet God does not only not give us what we deserve - he gives us life and enjoyment here. And not only that, he sends his only, perfect, holy son to die in our place and save us (though we were the ones who would murder him). Then he sends the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and bring us to salvation through Repentance and faith and to lead us to be more like God. And not only are we forgiven, but we receive Christ's righteousness (2 Cor 5:21, Romans 5:17). Not only that, we are Adopted as "Children of God" and even more - we are Co-Heirs with Christ! (v17). What mercy is this! What a Gracious God! Yet we still sin, and he continually forgives! What an awesome God!

So then, "Children of God". God is the perfect father, therefore as his children we need to:

1. Submit 100% to him, he is right. He provides a way out so we don't have to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13)

2. Trust him 100% - he is in control, knows all our needs and promises to give us all we need. He constantly sustains us and protects us, he is with us and he is mighty to save (Isaiah 41:10, Zephaniah 3:17).

3. Pray to him and talk to him - he is our father.

4. Be joyful! He is faithful, he has saved us and he promises us eternal life. We will be with him eternally so be joyful! And from that, be courageous to share the gospel so others might see his grace and mercy also.

But on the other hand, if we reject God, he is still perfect, still just. He will judge sin, he will put an end to it - either in Christ, or by sending all who refuse to submit to Christ to eternal judgement in hell. That is what we all deserve. Turn to Christ! He saves! Submit to hom, Repent and Believe the good news!

Soli Deo Gloria!