Sons of God Living in the Spirit
Paul say that the Christian is adopted into the family of God. We become sons and fellows heirs with Christ -- "provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him" (Romans 8:14-17). This, in-and-of-itself, is hard to believe. God actually adopts us and makes us his children.
I have two adopted children. They are my sons. We don't share the same DNA, but as far as I am concerned, these boys are Cathermans. They are on my life insurance. When they're old enough, they'll have access to my tools, books, and anything else they think they need. Most of the money I earn is given to house and feed these boys. One day I'll probably take second job to send them to college. Blood type aside, they will inherit my mannerisms, traditions, and bad habits. And like it or not, when they are men, they'll be Catherman men. They are my sons.
The same is true of God when we are adopted into his family. We get to address God as, "Daddy" and, "Father." The Bible says we'll be heirs with Christ and share in his glory.
But think about this. We do not have the same DNA as Jesus. There are hints but by no means is it the same. He's God and we are not. But God, in his amazing goodness has done a remarkable thing. He has made his Spirit to dwell within us. When you read about the amazing power Jesus had, remember that this same power dwells within us.
Dave Earley uses the Genie in Disney's Aladdin to illustrate this fact. Genie tells Aladdin that he has "phenomenal cosmic power" but lives (in the lamp) in "itty-bitty living space." In reality, the same is true of the Spirit living within us. And the Holy Spirit has way more power than that cartoon genie.
The same power that created everything out of nothing lives in you. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is in you, raising you to new life. And it is the Holy Spirit that leads and guides you.
With this in mind, what do we have to fear? Paul says, "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry 'Abba! Father!" It is time we start living in the fullness of what God has given us. We are empowered to live as sons of God.
In your House Fellowships this week, I'd like to encourage you to discuss some things. First, what is stopping you, (and us as a church) from living in this power? Second, what might be the potential if we were to begin believing this truth? And finally, what is it going to take for us to start living in this truth? What action steps are necessary? What roadblocks need to be removed? How can we help one another live in this reality now?
Redeeming Life Church, you are sons of God, alive in the Spirit! Let us no longer live like we're afraid, for we've got a great Daddy and his phenomenal, cosmic, power dwelling within us.
Pastor Bryan