15 The Spirit that you have received from God does not make you serve him like slaves. That would make you afraid again. No. The Spirit that God has given to you causes you to become God's children.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
The overall meaning of Romans 8 is to tell us to live through the Holy Spirit, give us encouragement about our present sufferings and future hope, as well as to remind us of God's great love.
In Romans 8:15, adoption indicates that the believers who were enslaved to another master, namely sin, were given in adoption by God.
Those who come to faith in Christ are described as living according to God's Holy Spirit. We no longer live according the flesh, as all non-Christians do. Those in the flesh—the world's way of living for self before and above all else—are hostile to God. They can't please Him (Romans 8:1–8).
Romans 8:8 tells us we cannot please God in our flesh. Explain that really pleasing God is not a guessing game. Paul talks about the difference between living by God's Spirit and living in sin. When we live in sin, our mind is set on what our sinful nature desires.
1 Now we know this: God has forgiven those people who are united with Christ Jesus. God will never say that they are guilty . 2 If you belong to Christ Jesus, God's Spirit has given you a new life. God's Spirit now rules in your life and he has made you free.
For I don't practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do” (7:15). I think we have all felt that way. We usually know right from wrong, but we don't always make the best choice. Perhaps we want to do something because our friends are doing it and we are pulled over the line to do something we shouldn't do.
Ephesians 1:5 “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great delight.”
Adoption, in Christian theology, is the reception of a believer into the family of God. In the Reformed ordo salutis ("order of salvation"), adoption is usually regarded as a step immediately subsequent to justification.
Romans 8:16 In-Context
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:28 in Other Translations
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
All Believers are Heirs with Christ (8:17b) Second, all believers are heirs with Christ. Continuing in verse 17, “and fellow heirs with Christ.” This means that Jesus is the principle Heir, and we share in His inheritance. The Father has transferred everything over to the Son.
Romans 15 concludes Paul's teaching that those strong in faith ought to sacrifice their own desires to live in harmony with other believers. Paul shows that God always planned to welcome the Gentile nations, and his mission is to introduce Gentiles to the message of salvation by faith in Christ.
God let even his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
"God created babies to keep the human race alive," says Ben. God's first command to Adam and Eve was "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). Babies are a vital part of God's plan for mankind, and so are good parents.
The more he lowered himself for me, the dearer he is to me.” And Pope Benedict XVI adds, “Jesus comes as a baby because he does not want to overwhelm us with his strength. He takes away our fear of his greatness.”
You are a child of God if you have believed… a belief that causes you to surrender your life to Jesus as your LORD (Creator and Owner). A belief that keeps on believing and keeps on surrendering to your LORD. In other words, God's child! If we are God's child we will love our heavenly Father.
Bible Gateway Romans 15 :: NIV. We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
5 It is God himself who helps us to be patient and strong. So I pray that he will help you to agree with each other and to be friends. That is how Christ Jesus wants you to live. 6 As a result, all of you will praise God together with the same thoughts.
Romans 8:13 In-Context
13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:11 promises, "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you." We could spend wonderful hours delving into the relationship between the resurrection of our bodies and ...
Romans 8:28 is a beautiful promise: "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His good purpose." Depending on their ages, you can discuss more in detail how God has used some negative or tough times in your own life to bring about good.