Read Romans 8:1-17

 

   “Not guilty; let him/her go free.” What would those words mean to you if you were on death row? The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But thank God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and power to do His will. 

   This life-giving Spirit is the Holy Spirit. He was present at the creation of the world (Genesis 1), and He is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian. He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life (John 3; Acts 1). 
Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. In Old Testament times, animal sacrifices were continually offered at the Temple. The sacrifices showed the Israelites the seriousness of sin: Blood had to be shed before sins could be pardoned (Leviticus 17). But the blood of animals could not really remove sins (Hebrews 10). The sacrifices could only point to Jesus’ sacrifice, which paid the penalty for all sins. 

 

   Paul divides people into two categories: those who let themselves be controlled by their sinful nature and those who follow after the Holy Spirit. All of us would be in the first category if Jesus hadn’t offered us a way out. Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following Him, because His way brings life and peace. Daily we must consciously choose to center our life on God. Use the Bible to discover God’s guidelines, and then follow them. In every perplexing situation, ask yourself, what would Jesus want me to do? When the Holy Spirit points out what is right, do it eagerly (Ephesians 4; Colossians 3). 

 

   Have you ever worried about whether or not you really are a Christian? A Christian is anyone who has the Spirit of God living in him or her. If you have sincerely trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledged Him as Lord of your life, then the Holy Spirit lives within you and you are a Christian. You can be assured that you have the Holy Spirit because Jesus promised that He would send Him. Since you now believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and that eternal life comes through Him (1 John 5), you will begin to act as Christ directs (Galatians 5); you will find help in your daily problems and in your praying; will be empowered to serve God and do His will (Acts 1; Romans 12); and you will become part of God’s plan to build up His church (Ephesians 4). 

 

    The Holy Spirit is God’s promise or guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in Him. The Spirit is within us now by faith, and by faith we are certain to live with Christ forever (1 Corinthians 6; 2 Corinthians 4; 1 Thessalonians 4). When we turn away from sin’s appeal in the Holy Spirit’s power, regarding sin as dead, we can ignore temptation when it comes (Galatians 5). 

 

   There is a price for identifying with Jesus. Along with the great treasures, Paul mentions the suffering that Christians must face. What kind of sufferings are we to endure? For first-century believers, there was economic and social persecution, and some even faced death. We, too, must pay a price for following Jesus. In many parts of today’s world, Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ’s first followers. Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christians must not become complacent. To live as Jesus did, serving others, giving up one’s rights, resisting pressures to conform to this world, will always exact a price. Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to save us. 

 

   Paul uses adoption to illustrate the believer’s new relationship with God. In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights to his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he or she gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 4). We may not always feel as though we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with God’s love. 

 

   We are no longer like cowering and fearful slaves; instead, we are the Master’s children. What a privilege! Because we are God’s children, we share in great treasures as co-heirs. God has already given us His best gifts: His Son, forgiveness, and eternal life; and He encourages us to ask Him for whatever we need.