ROMANS 8
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. – Romans 8:9-17
ROMANS 8 ADOPTED AS CHILDREN OF GOD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
If you believe in Jesus Christ, you are adopted by God himself
You are dead to your flesh and is led by the Spirit in righteousness
You are no longer slaves to sin but alive in Christ Jesus
God claimed you as his child and sin no longer controls you.
Do you know of someone who has been adopted? They are brought into the family of those who took them in. They become like their own. The adopted parents give their name to them. They get all the same benefits as the biological children get. This is how God adopted all those who believe in Jesus Christ into his kingdom. They become heirs to his kingdom. If God is a King, then all believers are princes and princesses. Like Jesus, they also have a place in his kingdom. So, all believers ought to act like they are God’s actual children. Paul explains here the spirit of adoption which is given to all those who believe in Christ. Even though Christians still live in a sinful body, they are given God’s Spirit so they can have the ability to do what is right and pleasing to God. There is no reason anymore to be slaves to sin since righteousness dwells in us through the Spirit of the Lord.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think some Christians behave like they weren’t adopted by God?
