We Who Have Become Children of God

Summary:Believers are no longer obligated to live according to the flesh, because living by the flesh leads to death. Instead, those who are led by the Spirit are children of God. Through the Spirit, believers have received adoption as God's sons and can now call Him "Abba, Father." The Spirit confirm‎s that they are God’s children—and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, provided they suffer with Him so they may also be glorified with Him. Teaching:“For if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” It says that if you put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit, you will live. This means living by the flesh leads to death, but living by the Spirit leads to life. Putting to death the deeds of the body is how we live by the Spirit. A person who is led by the Spirit of God and puts to death the sins of the body is a child of God. This is not possible because of conscience or intelligence, but only by the Spirit of God. The heart and attitude that accepts the Holy Spirit and is led by Him—this is what we call our spirit. The Holy Spirit, together with our heart, attitude, thoughts, and will that obey Him, confirm‎s that we are God’s children. If we want to see evidence that we are God’s children, we must be led by the Spirit. “And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” If we call God our Father, then we become His heirs—this comes through faith in Jesus. We live in God’s kingdom while alive, and we go to God’s kingdom after death.  Because we believe in Jesus, we may also experience things in this life that Jesus Himself went through. Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, July 22, 2025Roman 8:12-17(D-38)