Sonship

Romans 8:12-17

At the mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9)- some sleepy disciples woke up to hear the Father speak these words over Jesus: “You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased”

Romans 8 wakes us up at the top of another mountain- the dizzying heights that declare WE are called sons of God in Christ. God loves us with the same love he loves Jesus. We are freed from the slavery of life without God.

5 Significances of Sonship

1. New Obligations

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.(12-13)

There are only two types of people- those who live according to the “Flesh” and those who are of the “Spirit”. If you are “In Christ” you’re a Spirit person. If you’re outside of Christ you’re of the flesh.

Paul tells us that the fleshly pull of sin and death has been replaced by a much more powerful force of Spirit life.

2. New Appetites

but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Our new Spirit life isn’t yet perfect- we still need to root out the remaining misdeeds (sin).

3. New leading of the Spirit

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (14)

“Led by the Spirit”- Jesus, the Son, was described this way in Luke 4.

Christianity is not dry religion; box ticking to ensure conformity. It’s a relationship with the Father.

Logic or other’s expectations isn’t the predominant factor in decision making. God’s leading is.

4. New Confidence

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (15-16)

Slaves never have the assurance of knowing if their behaviour receives the master’s pleasure. Sons get on in life because they don’t need to ask that question! They’re sons.

If I’m a son I don’t need to be anxious. We all get anxious! Slaves live anxious lives because outside influences control their existence. Sons are secure in the Father’s love- which is EXPERIENCED through the Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are God’s children.

5. New Reward

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (17)

Sons are heirs.

In the story of the Prodigal son in Luke 15, the older brother who never left home received this assurance from the father: “You are always with me and everything I have is yours”

To be a son is to come into ever increasing knowledge that our heavenly Father will one day share everything with us! Jesus said one day the meek will inherit the earth.

Our inheritance is linked to our union with Christ.

Paul finishes with this staggering promise. That when we suffer like Jesus it’s simply a pointer to the certain glory we will share with him one day.


Questions:

  • Slaves and Sons. Why do you think Paul likens our condition without Christ to being a slave?
  • Sonship. The opposite of slavery is freedom; in what way is “sonship” superior to freedom?
  • Embracing new identity. Romans 8 teaches that I’m not a “Sinner trying to be holy” but “a Son growing in the likeness of Jesus”. Do you agree and why is that important?
  • Led by the Spirit. How does an active relationship with God as Father direct our day to day lives? What difference is he making this week?
  • Anxiety. What things am I willing to admit I get too anxious about and am needing to trust God with as my Father?
  • Future glory. Do you find this a helpful motivation as a Christian? How does it help?