THE HOLY SPIRIT and SONSHIP Devotion 13 of 30
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 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. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17, NKJV)
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God."
It should be apparent to you that we are speaking of weighty matters. By "weighty," I mean things pertaining to life and godliness, acceptance by God, and everlasting life. These are "weighty" in the sense of having eternal ramifications. These things bear directly upon the eternal destiny of all people.
Many approach the book of Romans as though it were too profound for most believers. It is not uncommon for purported schools of theology to reserve courses in this book for more advanced students – often seniors. All of this is an absurdity borne out of the flesh, and not the Spirit. In Christ, critical matters are not for the more learned, but for all of the sons of God – else they could not be viewed as critical. Further, matters that deal directly with eternal life, acceptance with God, and our eternal destiny are among the first things that are to be taught, not the last. They deal with common needs and provisions, without which no person can make it safely to the heavenly harbor.
Light and frivolous views of Scripture are enemies to the soul. They rob the individual of Divine provisions, pamper the flesh, and give the advantage to the "law of sin." If we "live by every Word of God" (Luke 4:4), then spurious views of Scripture are lethal. Those who tamper with the Word of God jeopardize the souls of men. The feigned scholars who cast a reflection of doubt upon God's Word with their "textual criticism" move their students into the spiritual danger zone.
Additionally, it is altogether too fashionable for self-appointed preachers and teachers to walk upon Scripture like a spider walks on water, always dealing with the superfluous and relatively inconsequential. Such men treat life in this world as though it was the most important life. By so doing, they give the devil an advantage, who is the "god of this world," as well as its "prince" (2 Cor 4:4; John 14:30). The closer one gets to this world, the closer he is to the devil, his delusion, and his temptation. This is never more true than when a person's theology is fundamentally of this world. If any person imagines this to be too strong, the due consideration of the verse before us will throw that imagination down to the ground, where it belongs.
"AS MANY"
Here the Spirit makes a critical distinction among men – even those who profess to be in Christ Jesus. He will make no allowance for a lifeless theological position, mere identity with a religious institution, or self- accessed worth. The blessing pronounced will ONLY apply to the ones mentioned "as many." Other translations render the words "as many" as "For all" (NASB, NRSV). These words describe a Divinely appointed boundary – that is, they limit our thinking to a certain group of people. That limitation is so strict that no one excluded from the description can possibly be included in the benefit that is mentioned. Some Scriptural examples of the use of these words will suffice to substantiate this point.
It is said of Jesus, "But AS MANY as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). It is not possible to become a son of God if the individual does not receive Jesus, believing on His name. If there is any chance this is not the case, this verse obtains no significance whatsoever. Again it is written, For AS MANY as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" (Gal 3:10). Those, therefore, who insist on being saved by Law – all of them – are actually under the curse of God. Again it is written, "For AS MANY of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Gal 3:27). Even though the subject of baptism is hotly contested among religious devotees, the Spirit is quite clear in what He says here. Those who have put on Christ are ALL those who have been baptized into Him. Again, Jesus said, "AS MANY as I love, I rebuke and chasten" (Rev 3:19). Jesus means everyone He loves He rebukes and chastens. None who He loves are excluded.
Our text declares "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." The description "the sons of God," therefore, includes everyone in the category mentioned – "as many." No one identified by the description is excluded, and there is no person not so identified that is included. This will be a single test that has been determined by God, ratified by the Son, and validated by the Spirit. It should be clear that we are dealing with a most important matter.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I desire to be in this category – "as many." In the name of Jesus, grant me all the resources that I need to be effectively identified with this number.
– Tomorrow: