Chapter 4 · Encounter 44 of 48
The Spirit Gives Assurance
Prepare
Paul writes to believers who may wonder whether they truly belong to God. He describes the extraordinary relationship made possible through the Spirit. Those who belong to Christ are not merely people who follow God's instructions from a distance. They are God's children, indwelt and led by his Spirit.
As you read, notice what Paul says about the Spirit's presence, the relationship believers have with God, and the difference between fear and the confidence of belonging.
Read Scripture
Open each passage here without leaving this Encounter.
Romans 8:9-17
9You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
12Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
14For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Ponder
- In Romans 8:9–11, Paul says that anyone who belongs to Christ has the Spirit living in them. What does he describe as the significance of that presence? What difference does Paul say this makes? How does it deepen your understanding of the Shepherd's commitment to his people?
Romans 8:9-11
9You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
- Paul describes believers receiving the Spirit of adoption and crying out, “Abba, Father.”In Galatians
Romans 8:15
15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
, he describes the Father sending both his Son and the Spirit so that we might become his children. What do these passages reveal about God's initiative in bringing us into his family? How might this change the way you approach him when you feel uncertain, inadequate, or afraid?Galatians 4:4-7
4But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Look Again
Did you notice that both Paul’s letters describe the Spirit crying out, “Abba, Father”? But look carefully at who is doing the crying. In Romans 8:15 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
Galatians 4:6
These aren't competing descriptions. Paul shows us both sides of the relationship: the Spirit enables our response to God and is himself at work within us.
What does this reveal about the Shepherd's desire for us to know him—not merely as a distant Lord, but as our Father?
Practice
Set aside a few quiet minutes to pray using the words "Abba, Father." Rather than beginning with requests, remember the relationship Paul describes. You are approaching God as one welcomed into his family through Christ and the Spirit.
If fear, uncertainty, or doubt arises, bring it honestly before him. Return to Romans 8:15–16 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16
Prayer
Thank God for welcoming believers as his children and giving the Spirit who bears witness to that relationship.
Speak honestly about fears or doubts that make it difficult to approach him with confidence. Ask the Spirit to deepen your trust in the Father's love and to lead you faithfully in the Shepherd's ways.