Becoming A Son

now, if the Spirit puts to death the deeds of the flesh we will live, for those led by the Spirit exist the sons of God (Romans 8:12)

Those led by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the flesh. Challenging words. Notice, the word for sons υἱός (hyios) "those led by the Spirit exists the sons of God" and the word for children τέκνον (teknon) used in the next few verses "... the Spirit himself testifies with ours that we exist children of God and if children then heirs... provided we suffer with him" (Romans 8:15-17). Do you see the maturing or perfecting process?

Children have testimony of the Spirit, that they exist a child of of God. But a son has grown into maturity, being led by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh. Paul wrote earlier in this letter, "knowing this, because our old self was crucified with him, so that the body of sin would be rendered useless..." (Romans 6:6). These are teachings of baptism that those who follow Christ should commit to (Romans 6:17). Dying to the old self and the Spirit putting to death the deeds of the flesh are equivalent and seen in the difference of maturity between a child and young person. It is also explained as transformation, the old is transformed into the new, Paul writing this our reasonable service and acceptable sacrifice to God where we present the body, the old self, a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).

John speaks of the difference of maturity, "my children I write these things so you may not sin" and "whoever keeps his word truly in them the love of God is perfected" and "I am writing to you children because your sins are forgiven... and you know the Father" and "I am writing to you young person because you are strong... the word of God abides in you... and you have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2).

and if children (teknon) then heirs, heirs of God together with Christ, provided we suffer with him so also to be glorified with him (Romans 8:17)

God predestined us as his own, as children of God, adopting us of his Spirit (Ephesians 1:5). In which we become co-heirs with Christ, who became like his brethren in the flesh, so to give us the right to become children. As children (teknon) the Spirit testifies that we are his own (Romans 8:16) and so does the blood of the new covenant. As sons (hyios) the water testifies, seen in the teachings of baptism, that the old man has been crucified with Christ, dead to sin and made alive to God. The testimony is in the experiential knowing of the truth that sets one free.

The water is not a testimony of the washing of dirt from the body but of a good conscious toward God (1 Peter 3:21) in that we are indebted as children to grow up and bear fruit of righteousness. To live according to our new nature, and if we do not we will not have a good conscious toward God. It is a testimony of becoming a son, having died and been buried with him, conformed to his death, having fellowship in his suffering, sin rendered useless. A son comes into existence alive to God, led by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh, walking in step with the Spirit of truth, walking in newness of life. A son is strong because the word of God abides in him as the Spirit has led and guided him into this truth, to abide in him whose words exist truth, life, and the way to freedom.

that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of the children (teknon) of God... (Romans 8:21-24)

Creation itself has been groaning and suffering up until this hour and we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Spirit grown inwardly awaiting our adoption, the redemption of our body. This is the battle, victorious, but not yet. Christ has been placed over all things, but it is clear not all things have yet been placed under his feet, the final thing to be place under his feet being death (Ephesians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 15:19-29).

The gospel is one in which we are saved and being saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). And of one that states one day we will be saved as we await our Saviors return, we await the fullness of our salvation, a body without decay, corruption, and sin. So we fight the good fight, run the race set before us in order to receive the prize, becoming a son receiving our inheritance the crown of life, the gain of knowing Christ and his life. We do so because Christ has laid hold of us, urging us on because we are his own.

My little children (teknon) for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, (Galatians 4:19)

Being a new creation in Christ we await the glorious freedom as children of God. We await the fullness of our inheritance as sons of God, in which the Spirit is a guarantor of the redemption of his own (Ephesians 1:14). The Spirit interceding, groaning to deep for words inwardly in our weakness... as we are becoming sons being formed into our true identity, into the image of his Son.

Popular (last 30 days)

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . * Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." * The word for lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is logizomai.[ 2] ...

Sound Doctrine, Sound Minds, and the Word of Life

Sound Doctrine, Sound Minds, and the Word of Life The New Testament consistently links doctrine with the condition of the mind . Doctrine is never treated as a mere collection of correct statements to be affirmed, but as something formative—shaping how believers reason, how faith matures, and whether communities are built up or quietly destabilized. When doctrine is unsound—loosely grounded, selectively quoted, or driven by human agendas—it does not simply introduce error. It produces instability. Scripture describes this instability not as ignorance, but as a condition of being divided , tossed , and unsettled . The danger is not thinking too much, but thinking without a stable center . Murmuring, Confused Reasoning, and the Loss of Orientation Paul names this danger directly in Philippians: “Do all things without murmuring (γογγυσμός) and confused reasoning (διαλογισμός)… holding fast to the word of life.” — Philippians 2:14–16 The terms Paul uses are precise. The word mur...

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law: A Detailed Study Rooted in Ephesians 2:11–22 Introduction The theme of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, shaping God’s relationship with humanity from creation through redemption. The new covenant is called by Paul a ministry of reconciliation, righteousness, and of the Spirit. The shift from the old Mosaic covenant—rooted in the Law given to Israel at Sinai—to the new covenant of grace established in Christ, fundamentally redefines how people approach God, community, and salvation. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, particularly 2:11–22, provides a remarkably clear and rich theological exposition of this transition, addressing not only the spiritual implications for Jews and Gentiles but also the very nature of the church as God’s new creation. This report develops an in-depth, paragraph-driven theological comparison between the old and new covenants, structured around nine key themes de...

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...

Surrender and Giving Control in Christian Thought: Scriptural Roots, Modern Interpretations, and the Quest for Spiritual Maturity

Surrender and Giving Control in Christian Thought: Scriptural Roots, Modern Interpretations, and the Quest for Spiritual Maturity Introduction The theological concept of surrender—or giving control to God—occupies a prominent place in the modern Christian consciousness. From pulpits, in devotional material, songs, and across a multitude of Christian traditions, believers are often exhorted to “surrender their lives to Christ,” to “give up control." This is often expressed as a “come to the end of yourselves,” experience. These exhortations, frequently couched in emotive and urgent language, invite believers to a posture of yielding, releasing, and letting go. Yet, when this language is measured against the actual vocabulary, teachings, and emphases of the Greek New Testament, important questions emerge: How biblically grounded are the concepts of “surrender” and “giving control”? Does such language reflect the spiritual vision of the earliest Christian church and scripture, or...

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...

Love Fulfilled Ministry

Search This Blog