Living in Freedom: Embracing Our Spirit of Adoption

 

Summary

In Romans 8:15-17, Paul presents a profound truth about the Christian life, emphasizing the spirit of adoption over a spirit of bondage and fear. This passage is not just a theological statement but a practical antidote to the discouragement and spiritual depression that many Christians face. Paul addresses the Roman Christians, who, despite their conversion, struggle with living out their faith in a world that opposes them. This struggle often leads to a spirit of bondage, where the Christian life is mistakenly turned into a new law, leading to fear and discouragement.

The essence of the problem lies in a failure to understand the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling power available to believers. Many Christians, particularly those who take their faith seriously, fall into the trap of trying to live the Christian life in their own strength, turning it into a burdensome task. This results in a spirit of fear—fear of God as a taskmaster, fear of the enormity of the Christian life, fear of the devil's power, and fear of their own sinfulness.

Paul's answer to this is the realization of the Holy Spirit's presence within us. The Spirit empowers us, reminding us of our relationship with God as our Father and our status as His children. This transforms our perspective from one of fear and bondage to one of freedom and joy. The Spirit of adoption allows us to cry out "Abba, Father," emphasizing our intimate relationship with God. This relationship is not about adhering to a set of rules but about pleasing our Father out of love and gratitude.

Furthermore, the Spirit assures us of our destiny as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. This assurance of our ultimate destiny in glory provides the motivation to live a holy life, not out of fear, but out of a desire to reflect our identity as children of God. Understanding this truth dispels the spirit of bondage and fear, replacing it with confidence and hope in our journey of faith.

Key Takeaways:

- The Christian life is not about adhering to a new set of laws but about living in the freedom of the Spirit of adoption, which allows us to call God our Father. This relationship transforms our perspective from fear to love and gratitude. [23:26]

- The presence of the Holy Spirit within us empowers us to live the Christian life. We are not left to our own strength; the Spirit strengthens and guides us, enabling us to overcome sin and live victoriously. [24:46]

- Our identity as children of God assures us of our destiny as heirs with Christ. This assurance provides motivation to live a holy life, not out of fear, but out of a desire to reflect our identity and prepare for our eternal destiny. [31:50]

- The spirit of bondage and fear often arises from a misunderstanding of the Christian life as a burdensome task. Recognizing our relationship with God as our Father and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit dispels this fear. [18:00]

- The realization of our status as children of God and joint heirs with Christ transforms our outlook on life. It shifts our focus from striving to meet standards to living in the joy and freedom of our relationship with God. [35:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Romans 8:15-17
- [01:21] - The Danger of Misunderstanding
- [02:04] - Addressing Discouragement
- [02:50] - Practical Application of Doctrine
- [04:20] - The Problem of Living the Christian Life
- [05:06] - The Battle Against Sin
- [06:26] - Failure to Realize Christian Truth
- [07:14] - The Role of Faith
- [08:29] - Spirit of Bondage and Fear
- [09:18] - Turning Christian Life into a New Law
- [12:00] - The Spirit of Bondage in Practice
- [15:17] - Fear of God and the Task
- [18:00] - Overcoming the Spirit of Fear
- [23:26] - The Spirit of Adoption
- [24:46] - The Power of the Holy Spirit
- [31:50] - Assurance of Our Destiny
- [35:02] - Our Identity as Children of God
- [39:49] - The Victory of Faith
- [42:34] - Conclusion and Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Romans 8:15-17

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean by the "spirit of bondage" and how does it contrast with the "spirit of adoption"? [23:26]
2. How does Paul describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers according to Romans 8:15-17? [24:46]
3. What assurance does Paul give about our identity and destiny as children of God? [31:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the common misunderstanding of the Christian life as a burdensome task? [09:18]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of the "spirit of adoption" change a believer's relationship with God, according to the sermon? [31:50]
2. In what ways does the presence of the Holy Spirit empower believers to overcome sin and live victoriously? [24:46]
3. What are the implications of being "joint heirs with Christ" for a believer's motivation to live a holy life? [31:50]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers can overcome the spirit of fear and bondage? [23:26]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Christian life was a burdensome task. How can the understanding of the "spirit of adoption" change your perspective? [09:18]
2. How can you remind yourself daily of the Holy Spirit's presence and power in your life to overcome challenges? [24:46]
3. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of your identity as a child of God in your daily life? [31:50]
4. Identify a specific fear or area of bondage in your life. How can the truths from Romans 8:15-17 help you address it? [23:26]
5. How can you shift your motivation for living a holy life from fear to a desire to reflect your identity as a child of God? [31:50]
6. What practical steps can you take to live in the freedom and joy of your relationship with God, rather than striving to meet standards? [35:02]
7. How can you support others in your small group who may be struggling with a spirit of fear or bondage? [18:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Spirit of Adoption
The Christian life is not about adhering to a new set of laws but about living in the freedom of the Spirit of adoption, which allows us to call God our Father. This relationship transforms our perspective from fear to love and gratitude. The essence of this transformation lies in understanding that our relationship with God is not based on fear or obligation but on love and intimacy. When we embrace the Spirit of adoption, we move away from a mindset of bondage and fear, where we see God as a taskmaster, to one where we see Him as a loving Father. This shift in perspective is crucial for living a life of freedom and joy, as it allows us to serve God out of love and gratitude rather than fear and obligation. [23:26]

Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Reflection: In what ways have you been living your Christian life out of obligation rather than love? How can you begin to embrace the Spirit of adoption today?


Day 2: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
The presence of the Holy Spirit within us empowers us to live the Christian life. We are not left to our own strength; the Spirit strengthens and guides us, enabling us to overcome sin and live victoriously. Many Christians struggle with the misconception that they must live the Christian life through their own efforts, leading to discouragement and spiritual fatigue. However, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit provides us with the power and guidance needed to live victoriously. By relying on the Spirit, we can overcome the challenges and temptations we face, living a life that reflects our identity as children of God. [24:46]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are trying to rely on your own strength? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in that area today?


Day 3: Assurance of Our Destiny
Our identity as children of God assures us of our destiny as heirs with Christ. This assurance provides motivation to live a holy life, not out of fear, but out of a desire to reflect our identity and prepare for our eternal destiny. Understanding our status as heirs with Christ gives us a sense of purpose and direction in our Christian journey. It shifts our motivation from fear of punishment to a desire to live in a way that reflects our identity as God's children. This assurance of our ultimate destiny in glory encourages us to pursue holiness and live in a manner worthy of our calling. [31:50]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How does knowing your identity as an heir with Christ change your perspective on your daily life? What steps can you take to live in a way that reflects this identity?


Day 4: Overcoming the Spirit of Bondage and Fear
The spirit of bondage and fear often arises from a misunderstanding of the Christian life as a burdensome task. Recognizing our relationship with God as our Father and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit dispels this fear. Many Christians fall into the trap of viewing their faith as a set of rules to follow, leading to a spirit of fear and bondage. However, when we understand that our relationship with God is based on love and grace, we can overcome this fear. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in freedom, reminding us of our identity as God's children and our ultimate destiny in Him. [18:00]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: What fears are holding you back in your spiritual journey? How can you begin to replace those fears with the truth of your identity in Christ today?


Day 5: Living in the Joy and Freedom of Our Relationship with God
The realization of our status as children of God and joint heirs with Christ transforms our outlook on life. It shifts our focus from striving to meet standards to living in the joy and freedom of our relationship with God. When we fully grasp our identity as God's children, we are freed from the pressure to perform and meet external standards. Instead, we can live in the joy and freedom that comes from knowing we are loved and accepted by God. This transformation allows us to live authentically, reflecting the love and grace we have received in our interactions with others. [35:02]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from striving to meet standards to living in the joy and freedom of your relationship with God? What practical steps can you take to live more authentically in this truth today?

Quotes


The essence of the problem is this: it is a failure on their part to realize the truth concerning the Christian Life. It is their failure to realize what is possible for us as Christians. It is ultimately a failure to understand the doctrine. I'm going to try to show you that. [00:06:40]

The danger of having a servant Spirit, the surf-like spirit and attitude, generally arises from the tendency to turn the Christian Life and the living of the Christian Life into a new law and into a higher law. In other words, I'm thinking of people now who are quite clear about their relationship to the Old Law. [00:09:01]

They regard God as a taskmaster. They regard God as someone who is constantly, as it were, waiting to discover these faults and blemishes in them and to punish them accordingly. And having turned the Christian Life in this way into a law, God is somehow banished by them to some far distance. [00:18:00]

The answer is we must realize the truth concerning the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us. That's the message. Now that, according to the Apostle, works out in two ways. The first is that as I confront this mighty glorious task of denying myself and taking up the cross. [00:24:46]

The truth that the Holy Spirit dwells within me, what does he teach me? Well, it teaches me this: first of all, it reminds me of the power of the Holy Spirit that is within me. Now the Apostle has already said that in verse 13. You see, he says in verse 12, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh. [00:24:56]

The presence of the Holy Spirit in us reminds us of our relationship to God. This is the wonderful thing: ye have not received the spirit of bondage against a fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father. The presence of the Holy Spirit within us is a guarantee to us of our sonship. [00:31:50]

Our object now in living the Christian life is not simply to attain to a certain standard but is rather to please God because he's our Father. The spirit of adoption whereby we cry by Abba, Father. A slave wasn't allowed to say Abba, and that slave spirit doesn't regard God as Father. [00:32:44]

As Christian people, we must learn to appropriate by faith the fact that God is our Father. Christ taught us to pray Our Father. This eternal everlasting God has become our Father, and the moment we realize that, everything tends to change. He is a Father who desires our good and who's always caring for us. [00:33:22]

We are now sons of God, children of God, this new dignity, this new standing, this new status, this glorious position in which we find ourselves. Or go back again to that same high priestly prayer, and this is how our Lord puts it. He tells us that we are to glorify him in this world. [00:35:02]

The spirit is in me enabling me to do it. It transforms my outlook. I lose the spirit of bondage again to fear, and again I realize it in this way: I realize that the Holy Spirit is dwelling within me. That's Paul's famous argument, isn't it, in the sixth chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians. [00:36:34]

The way to get rid of the spirit of bondage and of fear is this: to know that if you're a child of God, you're destined for heaven and for glory, and that all the things you see inside yourself and outside yourself can't prevent that plan from being carried out. [00:39:49]

There is nothing that is so calculated to promote holiness within us as the realization that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, that our destiny is certain and secure, that nothing can prevent our getting there, and we purge and purify ourselves even as he is pure. [00:40:37]

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Transcript
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