Greetings John,

The Bible declares that Spirit born believers are “the children of God” and as such are “heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16,17). Would you please explain what exactly this means, as I think that a clear understanding of this may lead one into personal revival. What do you think?

Thank you,
Eric

 Hello Eric,

Thank you for this question. It is significant that these verses follow Romans 8:1-14, one of the great passages on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, unfolding the victorious life of Jesus through the Spirit. It may be helpful to provide the immediate context of Romans 8:13-17:

(13) “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Through dependence on the Spirit, the life of Christ imparted by the Spirit overcomes the flesh.

(14) “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The word sons is not the word for infants but mature sons. When you follow the leadership of the Spirit, you are living as a mature son who understands the provision and power of life in the Spirit. You are by faith accessing your inheritance in the Spirit.

(15) “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The word adoption is not the idea of the new birth, but the truth that when you are born again you are also adopted in as a mature son with all the access rights to the inheritance. You have a God-given right to trust the Father for the ministry of the Spirit.

(16) “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” The Spirit witnesses to truth. When you affirm you are in the family though faith in Jesus, He bears witness to that truth. When you further affirm you are a child of God and therefore can trust in your heavenly Father, He bears witness to that truth.

(17) “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” The word heir emphasizes the reality of adoption rights. The term joint-heir emphasizes our identification in Christ not only with His death and resurrection, but also His acceptance with the Father. We have the privilege of functioning as mature sons of God dependent on and living according to the resources of our Father. This is not for selfish ends, but in denying self as Christ did in His suffering, so we access His will and power.

You’re right. This truth practiced would bring one into the reality of personal revival, the reality of life in the Spirit!

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