It’s not that you don’t know it . . . it’s just that you need to hear it again. It’s not so much about doubt . . . it’s just that you have a need for some reassurance. It’s those times when perhaps you feel a bit distant, that you seek to know that still small voice drawing you near. There are just times when you need “the reminder” . . . and that, is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit of God.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:14-17 ESV)

These first 17 verses of Romans 8 are absolutely glorious! Talk about your primer on the Spirit-filled life . . . and you’re talking about Romans 8! There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . . and there is freedom and life and peace for those in who Christ Jesus resides . . . through His Spirit. The living Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead dwells in each of us who have believed in Christ for our salvation. Think about it! God in me . . . resurrection power in me . . . Christ in me . . . all through the mysterious agency of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Do I fully understand it? No. Do I fully believe it? Yes. Do I fully experience it? I’m trying . . .

And, what’s grabbed me this morning is the Spirit’s ministry to “bear witness” to my adoption . . . to testify of the reality of my sonship . . . to confirm who I really am in Christ Jesus — that I am a child of God.

He is the “Spirit of adoption” by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” He testifies to my inner man of the truth of the “no condemnation”. He speaks into my spirit of the reality that my sin has been removed as far as the east is from the west and that there is no barrier to fellowship with God because of the blood shed by Christ on my behalf. He encourages me toward intimacy with God . . . giving me permission to address Holy, Almighty God as “Abba” . . . as Father . . . to cry out to Him as would a child to their Father in times of need . . . to “snuggle up”, as it were, within His arms when I’m in dire need of comfort and protection. It’s the Spirit who provides “the reminder.”

Oh, how I need that reminder every so often. How I need to step back from the “reality” of every day life and consider afresh the “reality” of being a child of God. How I need the Spirit’s calming testimony that God has adopted me “for life” . . . actually for “eternal life”. The reminder that I’m not in God’s family on a trial basis . . . but I’m here for good . . . not because of my good . . . but because of the finished work of redemption through Christ on the cross. How I need, sometimes, to know again that the work He has begun in me, He is committed to completing in me (Phil. 1:6) . . . determined and able to conform me, as a child of God, into the image of the Son of God (Rom. 8:29). How I need the blessed assurance that Jesus is mine . . . and I am His . . . and that nothing can separate this child of God from the love of his Abba Father (Rom. 8:38-39).

Again, not that I doubt it . . . I just like to hear it. Sweet words spoken by God’s sweet Holy Spirit . . . “You are a child of God!”

Yes I am! By His grace . . . for His glory . . . Yes I am!

Thank you, Lord.