Lesson 103
Romans
Chapter Eight
Freedom in Christ through the Holy Spirit
The Dynamic for living the Christian Life
Ø 8:14-17 The rest of this paragraph takes a turn, a new direction, with a new theme; still connected with the previous verses
- We can be assured of who we are
right now, we do not need to wait till some time in
the future to know what is our eternal destiny.
Flow of the context:
1. vs:14 The leading of sons
2. vs:15a The adoption of sons
3. vs:15b The intimacy of sons
4. vs:16 The confidence of sons
5. vs:17a The heirship of sons
6. vs:17b The glorification of sons
1.
His focus for the rest of the paragraph is on those who are living by the Spirit; these he says are constantly being lead by the Spirit of God.
- The way that the Holy Spirit leads/guides is through the truth of the Word.
The more we know about who we are in Christ and what is ours because of that relationship and His faithful provision the more we should be motivated in our life to walk by the Spirit and honor our Savior.
2. 8:15a The adoption of sons
- Paul's assurance to us here is that when we became believers the Holy Spirit's leadership in our lives does not involve a bondage to the Sin nature which results in fear.
Having an attitude of adoption gives us great confidence and assurance as we understand what's involved in adoption, which we'll find speaks to our standing before God!
- In the context Paul uses 2 terms to describe the believer, the son and children.
ui`o,j = adult son; speaks of legal standing; our legal standing with God.
te,knon = lit. a born one, child in the family; [regeneration]
- Word adoption = ui`oqesi,a; to place as a son; it is a legal term
Observations
on Adoption
1. The practice of adoption in
- The toga of youth, would be removed, and in its place the toga virilis, the toga of manhood is placed on him by the father.
- he then was considered an adult with all the privileges of an adult were given:
* What is stressed here with this ceremony of adoption is a change in relationship, from child in the family to an adult son.
2. Another procedure for adoption, this one is for one who had no heir or was not satisfied that one of his own progeny was qualified to be his heir.
In this adoption a person had to pass from one patria potestas to another. One parental authority to another.
3. Consequences of this adoption under Roman law.
a. The adoptee was taken out of a relationship and put into a new one with a new patria potestas, a new father, a new authority.
b. Under the law, the old life of the adopted person was wiped out; all debts and obligations were canceled.
c. The adoptee became heir of his new father's estate!
d. In the eyes of the law he was absolutely the son of his new father.
e. The new father was owner of all the adoptee's possessions.
f. New father had the right and authority to control the adoptee's behavior and relationships.
Stages of Adoption
#1 destruction of the old paternal power, patria potestas
#2 establishment of the new authority, new potestas
Spiritual Application of the Truth
of Adoption
What a great illustration! Severed from all old relationships in Adam
and placed into a new one, into Christ; and in that relationship God is our
Father and we are "His sons."
It is the Holy Spirit who has an important role in adoption; As the "Spirit of adoption."
1. Adoption is the act of God placing "His born ones" into an adult standing in the family. [part of our new position]
2. Since we are now adult sons we are able to draw on the Fathers wealth, the spiritual blessings in Christ, and are able to exercise all the privileges of sonship.
3. There is also a future aspect to our adoption; related to the return of Christ and our receiving our resurrection bodies. Rom 8:22-23
3. 8:15b The intimacy of sons;
"by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
- Intimacy of
our relationship with the Father since we're sons is seen in the term; Abba
- This term Father is important to us; it is the proper term for addressing God in prayer.
- What about the unbeliever who calls out to the Father; John 8 deals with this!