Our Relationship to God

GOLDEN TEXT: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”—Romans 8:16

ROMANS 8:12-17—The Christian’s relationship to God is that of children who have been begotten into the divine family by his Holy Spirit. And not only are we begotten by the Spirit to this blessed relationship, but the same Spirit bears witness to us that we are indeed the children of God. To many the witness of the Spirit is something very vague and indefinite, but it doesn’t need to, be when we understand the divine arrangements properly, for in this passage Paul tells us of one very definite way in which that witness is provided. It is in the statement, “If so be that we suffer with Him.”

By reading verses 16 and 17 without the first clause of the 17th verse, which is parenthetical, we find that what the apostle says is that the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirits if we are suffering with Christ. In I Peter 1:11,12, we learn that it was the Holy Spirit, testifying through the prophets, which caused them to foretell the sufferings of Christ, and that it was through a further ministration of the Spirit beginning with Pentecost that this great truth concerning the sufferings of the Christ had been made known to the early church. In Peter’s epistle, and elsewhere in the Scriptures it is emphasized that the followers of the Master participate in his sufferings—that is in the sufferings which had been foretold—for all faithful followers are members of his body.

The Holy Spirit, then, is the medium by which, through the prophets and apostles, this great truth of the divine plan has been revealed, hence if we are suffering with Christ the testimony of the Holy Spirit applies to us. Thus, in this very understandable manner, the Holy Spirit witnesses to us, “if so be that we suffer with Him.” To be certain that we have this witness of the Spirit it is therefore essential that through faith in Christ we take the necessary steps of obedience in presenting our bodies living sacrifices for thus we put ourselves in the narrow way of suffering.

To take this step of full consecration means to renounce the will of the flesh and to be guided by the dictates of the Holy Spirit which speaks to us through the Word of God. During this Gospel age the Holy Spirit leads the consecrated followers of the Master in the way of sacrifice, a way that is contrary to the desires of the flesh. If we follow that leading it will mean the crucifying of our flesh, a dying daily in the service of the Lord, the truth, and the brethren. It will mean the laying down of our lives in sacrificial death as was the case with Jesus, in whose steps we follow.

Christians are not to seek martyrdom, nor are we to hold back from following the leadings of the Spirit of God simply because the way may be difficult—a way of sacrifice and suffering. If we are faithful to our calling, letting our light shine in a dark world as Jesus did, we, like him, will be scorned by those who dwell in darkness. But this will be one of the witnesses of the Spirit to rejoice our hearts.

ROMANS 8:31-39—“What shall we then say to these things?” The “things” referred to here are the many evidences set forth by the apostle giving us the assurance, and explaining the manner, in which God is for us. The expression, “If God be for us,” has more the thought, “Since God is for us.” There is really no “if” concerning the fact that God is “for” his consecrated people. Much of the Book of Romans is devoted to proving that God IS for us, and the “things” mentioned to substantiate this fact are many and varied.

God’s power operates toward us through the Gospel. (Rom. 1:16) He has justified us through the blood of Christ. (Rom. 5:1) Through Christ we have been favored by God in being recipients of the “High Calling” by which we are invited to become partakers of his glory. (Rom. 5:2) His love is shed abroad in our hearts. (Rom. 5:5) Being “in Christ” we do not share the condemnation of the world. (Rom. 8:1) Our mortal bodies have been “quickened” by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 8:11) The Holy Spirit witnesses that we are the children of God, and surely God is “for” his children! (Rom. 8:16) All things are made to work together for our good.—Rom. 8:28

There is no doubt that God is for us, and since this is true, no power can operate successfully against us. It is God that justifieth, the apostle explains. “Who is he that condemneth?” Satan is the archfoe of the consecrated, and he tries every method of deceit and discouragement in order to turn us aside from walking faithfully in the narrow way. But the true child of God is not ignorant of his devices, and his faith in the promises and provisions of God will give him the victory over his enemies.

Many efforts are made by Satan, and his allies—the world and our fallen flesh—to separate us from the love of God, but he who is for us is more powerful than all that may be against us—“tribulation, or distress, or persecution; or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword.” We may be “killed all the day long,” but even this will be an evidence of God’s favor in that he has granted us the privilege of sharing in the sufferings of Christ. So in all these experiences, and any others which may arise, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” and died for us.

QUESTIONS:

How does the Holy Spirit bear witness with our spirits?

What does Paul mean by living after the flesh?

What does Paul refer to as “these things” which prove that God is for us?

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