Sep 15, 2019
Originally Presented: August 5, 2007
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:12-16
When Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God," we must consider as to what that witness of the Spirit is. There is no question of greater importance than the question as to whether or not we truly are children of God. What is the witness of the Holy Spirit within us that gives us assurance that we, indeed, belong to God?
(1) There is, in our spirit, a longing for and a growing understanding of spiritual things (Jn 16:13; 1 Cor 2:12).
(2) There is, in our spirit, a desire to obey the commands of God (Ezek 36:27).
(3) There is, in our spirit, a desire to know Jesus Christ better (Jn 16:14).
(4) There is, in our spirit, an increasing awareness of and a deep concern about our sin (Jn 16:8).
(5) There is, in our spirit, a genuine love for other Christians (1 Jn 3:23,24; Gal 5:22).
(6) There is, in our spirit, a mind increasingly set on eternity and a longing for heaven (2 Cor 4:17,18).
The Spirit who indwells us (Rom 8:11) and leads us (Rom 8:14) profoundly changes us and in these inner changes there is a witness within us that we are children of God. There is no peace like the contentment of knowing that you belong to the Almighty God as His own child, in Christ Jesus.