Remember Who We Are #9

 

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 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!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

One of the greatest blessings we have in Christ is to now be Children of God. As we read above, that has many benefits: we are safe in God's family; we don't need to live in fear.  We are heirs; we don't have to worry about what we need.  We are sons and daughters with rights and privileges, especially the ability to talk with our Father in Heaven. These benefits also carry with them responsibilities and accountability. In the context of the verses preceding this, such a privilege carries with it the calling to turn away from the old life of the flesh, and our last verse startles us, it says we need to be willing to suffer as His children. In other words, as glorious as it is to be in God's family, in this life it will not always be easy, only worth it.