Those Who Are Led by the Holy Spirit (1)

[Romans 8:14-17]

Let’s look at Romans 8:14-17: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Based on this passage, I want to reflect on three points: (1) Sons of God (v. 14), (2) Crying out “Abba, Father” (v. 15), and (3) The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (v. 16).

First, let’s reflect on being sons of God.
Look at Romans 8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Here, the word "as many" introduces the explanation of the latter part of verse 13, "you will live" (eternal life). It describes those who live according to the Spirit of God: (1) they are sons of God (v. 14), (2) they cry out “Abba, Father” (v. 15), (3) they are children of God (v. 16), and (4) they are heirs of God (v. 17).

The Apostle Paul is speaking about those who "are led by the Spirit of God." One thing we must keep in mind is that one of the works the Holy Spirit does when He comes to us is leading us. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. Let’s look at John 16:13: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth...” The Holy Spirit does not just lead us in big events, but in all things. As we walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4), we are being led by Him every day. We experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the situations of our lives. Sometimes we may not realize His leading at the moment, but after time passes, we often recognize how He was leading us.

The Holy Spirit gives us instructions. Let’s look at Acts 8:29: “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’” The Holy Spirit instructed Philip to approach the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch, who was reading the Scriptures at that moment (v. 27). Philip obeyed and ran to the chariot (v. 30). Also, in Acts 10:20, the Holy Spirit instructed Peter, who had gone up to the roof to pray (v. 9), and had received a vision (v. 10-16), to go with the men sent by Cornelius (v. 17, 19) and not to doubt. Peter obeyed and went with them the next day (v. 23).

In Acts 13:2, while the church in Antioch was serving and fasting, the Holy Spirit gave the command to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work He had called them to. The church obeyed the Holy Spirit’s direction and prayed and fasted, laying hands on Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to send them out (v. 3).

In Acts 16:6-7, during Paul’s second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from preaching in Asia and led him instead to Macedonia (Europe). Paul obeyed the Holy Spirit’s direction and restriction.

The Apostle Paul says, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans 8:14). The person who is led by the Holy Spirit is a son of God. In other words, a son of God is someone who lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. A son of God does not live according to his own desires or passions. Moreover, a son of God does not follow the commands of Satan. A son of God follows the guidance and instructions of the Holy Spirit.

Among believers, many are wounded by their earthly fathers and suffer anguish and pain because of it. Therefore, they may harbor feelings of hatred or resentment toward their fathers. These believers may find it difficult to accept the truth that God is their Father due to the wounds caused by their earthly fathers. An earthly father must live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the home so that he can show his children the truth that God is their Father. Even if an earthly father cannot do this, the Holy Spirit can reveal the truth of God as Father to the children through the revelation of Scripture. This is an even greater grace.

The Bible teaches that God is our Father. See Romans 8:3: “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.” God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save us. In sending Him, God condemned sin in the flesh, sending His sinless Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with the sin of the flesh.

God transferred all our sins to Jesus and punished them in Him. In other words, God made His only Son, Jesus Christ, take the punishment for all our sins. As a result, we have received salvation and have become children of God. In this way, God has shown us great love in our salvation. The God of love, who gave His only Son on the cross, is our loving Father.

See Romans 8:32: "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

The Holy Spirit has come to guide us. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. Additionally, the Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus Christ and to God. If we live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are children of God. Anyone who is led by the Holy Spirit is a child of God. We must live a life worthy of being God's children, led by the Holy Spirit.