So Christian men stand toward life and death (Romans 8:1-13); how toward God?
Romans 8:14. Justified (Romans 8:3-5) and sanctified (Romans 8:6), they are Sons and Heirs of God, while they are led by God's Spirit.
Romans 8:15 f. Christ's spirit of sonship replaces the old spirit of servitude engendering fear (cf. Romans 2:8 f., also Hebrews 2:15; Hebrews 10:28; Hebrews 10:31, and 1 John 4:18). Adoption (sonships with a different application in Romans 9:4) is borrowed from Roman and Greek law, denoting affiliation from another family or statusno longer a bondman but a son (Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). The cry of the adoptedAbba = Father! in the mother-speech of Jesus (Mark 14:36), caught, like Amen, from the lips of Palestinian believers sounds as the voice of Another within as (cf. Romans 8:9; Romans 8:26 f.). The Spirit Himself sustains the testimony of consciousness (cf. Romans 2:15, Romans 9:1) to the effect that we are children of God. The witness of our spirit lies in the knowledge of our spiritual transformation (see Romans 8:1-9, also Romans 5:1-11, and Romans 6). Sons in rank and dignity, children in affinity and endearment (cf. 1 John 3:1 f.).
Romans 8:17. And consequently heirs, sharing the inheritance of Christ, the Son of Godprovided that we share His sufferings (see Galatians 4:5-7; Ephesians 1:14; also John 15:18-21; 1 Peter 4:12 f.). Cf. p. 811.