◄ What Does Romans 8:14 Mean? ►

The eighth chapter of Romans begins in no condemnation and concludes in glory, and in this beautiful passage we are gently led into a fuller understanding of the wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit that takes place in the life of a believer.

First, we rejoice that He liberates us from the Old Testament Law and the inner flesh.

Next, we discover that the work of the Spirit in our lives is in bitter conflict with our old, carnal, fleshly nature, causing the believer to have to choose to either walk after the Spirit or to walk after the flesh – but that is a choice that we all have to make in our Christian life.

Finally, we find that as we submit to His leading in our Christian walk, the Spirit witnesses with our inner spirit of the intimate relationship we have with the Father, before we finally discover that He intercedes for us with groaning that cannot be uttered, as we await the glory that is to come. 

All believers are children (teknon) of God, for all have been born from above into the family of God and one day all believers will be conformed into the likeness and image of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we grow and mature in the Spirit, we grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. As we begin to mature in the faith, we grow in grace and learn the lessons the Spirit wants to teach us, and as we grow in grace, so we grow into adulthood developing into sons (huis) of God: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (huis) of God."

Immature believers and those that are young in the faith are still children in the Christian faith. They may or may not choose to be led by the Spirit of God. Some may choose to be led by their fleshly nature and walk through much of their Christian life in the flesh, but all children of God who have matured in the faith, will at some time have made the choice to be led by the Spirit of God: "And all who are led by the Spirit of God are called SONS of God."

Unbelievers make a choice to believe in Christ and, by the grace of God, as many as believe in Him become children of God. Then they need to grow in the faith.

All believers are children of God and as many as are led by the Spirit of God become mature in the faith, and they are the sons of God.

Loving Father, Your plan of salvation, by grace through faith, is wonderful. Your continuing plan of sanctification, by grace through faith, as we submit to the Holy Spirit, is truly awesome. Help me to be willing to submit to Your Holy Spirit and to be led by You always, maturing in the faith to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.