For as many are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.  (15) 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.”  (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 joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be glorified together

The letter to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul To the Christians in Rome. Today’s verses concern assurance of salvation for the faithful.  The doctrine discussed here tells us that the Spirit which the faithful receive at the moment of new birth transforms them and they become adopted heirs chosen by God. The spirit of adoption is a crucial doctrine of the New Testament and our new status as children of God through the Holy Spirit is the certain hope of future blessing.

In Ancient Rome adoption was fairly common especially in the wealthy and upper classes because of Roman inheritance law and Roman law provided that the head of a family had the power to give his children in adoption.  This was often used as a political strategy and was neither secretive nor shameful – for example, Augustus Caesar was adopted by Julius Caesar as his chosen successor.   Adoption became a common way to achieve the Roman throne in imperial times – the time of Paul.  In Paul’s day Tiberius, Caligula, Nero and Trajan were all adopted sons who became emperors. So the practice of adoption was recognized as legitimate.

The Holy Spirit enables us to believe in Christ and as the faithful, we are transformed – our new relationship with God is as our father.   Our adoption is a present reality but a future fulfillment.   Chapter 7 of Romans ends with Paul describing the constant struggle in this life with the power of the flesh versus living a life pleasing to God.  The message of Romans, chapter 8, is God never intended for man to live a Christian life by his/her own efforts but in the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells us that victory of the Christian is the certainty of sanctification as transformed adopted children of God by faith in Christ through the Holy Spirit.  No condemnation is to be dreaded by Christians as our sins have been dealt with by the cross. We have been delivered from the penalty of sin and the power of sin.