THE HOLY SPIRIT and SONSHIP Devotion 20 of 30 – Tomorrow:
"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)
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."
God has established the necessity of at least two witnesses. Under the law, a minimum of two witnesses were required before capital punishment could be enacted. One witness was not enough. "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death" (Deut 17:6). A solitary witness was forbidden to rise up "against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established" (Deut 19:15). The Revelation portrays the message of God as being delivered by God's "TWO witnesses" (Rev 11:3). In confirming His promise to His children, "God willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by TWO immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us" (Heb 6:18).
It is the Divine manner to buttress critical matters with at least two witnesses. This is not because there is any doubt about what is being reported. Rather, it is in order that the Divine witness may be more firm to our hearts. This dual witness is given to us because of the frailty of our frame. As it is written, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust" (Psa 103:13-14).
With the Lord, it is vital that we have a "strong consolation" that will hold us up in the time of trial, and keep us focused during the time of peace. Also, our persuasion of the truth of God must be strong enough to compel us to run to Him for refuge, in order that we might appropriate the confident hope He has for us. No person will flee, or break out in a run toward the Lord, who is not first persuaded He has something to give those who come to Him. This is the reason for the reluctance of many to come to Christ, and the hostility of others who thrust the Word of God from themselves. They simply do not believe there are any essential and lasting advantages to coming to the Lord. God has given us two witnesses to break down these barriers in the human spirit.
Now, in the matter of our sonship, the Lord has also established two witnesses. One is His Word. In it He has declared those in Christ Jesus are His sons, or children. The testimony is clear and powerful. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor 6:17-18). "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God" (1 John 3:1-2). "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:26). All who have been justified ARE God's children, and He IS their Father. Now, the Lord also provides us with an additional and personal Witness.
THE SPIRIT HIMSELF
"The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (NIV). Herein is a marvelous fact: that the Spirit of God could bear intimate witness to the spirit of man! This reality confirms that we have been justified, and are accepted in Christ. If this were not the case, the Holy Spirit could bear no such testimony to us, for He is "the Spirit of truth," and thus cannot lie (John 14:17; 15:26). To those outside of Christ, His ministry is one of conviction, confirming that men are alienated from God (John 16:8-11). To those in Christ, it is a ministry of confirmation that brings confidence and assurance to the heart.
The witness of reference is not through the Scriptures, although it is in perfect accord with them. It is not the witness of our brethren, although it will be in agreement with those who have spiritual understanding. This is the witness of "The Spirit Himself." This is the "Spirit of adoption" who confirms the reality of that adoption to us. "The Spirit HIMSELF bears witness with our spirit" (NASB). This witness is not through another intercessor. It is not through another means. It is the witness of the Spirit Himself. This witness is not to our mind, but to our spirit. It is not to our intellects, but to our spirit.
The ultimate confirmation of our sonship will not come through a reasoning process, or through human logic. It will come from "the Spirit Himself." Our confidence will not come from human deduction, but from Divine witness. The Spirit's witness will be in perfect accord with the Word of God, and will in no way contradict it. His witness will convince you of the truth God's Word affirms. It will remove any doubts or fears that may be lingering in the heart and mind of a person in Christ Jesus. God be praised for such a personal and powerful witness.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I praise You through Jesus Christ that I do not have to live in doubt, or be afraid to come into Your presence. Thank You for the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, and for His incontrovertible witness to my spirit.