(Rom 8:16) “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”  Oh the precious assurance of salvation! It is the Holy Spirit Who whispers to our heart, “You are Mine”. Think of it: not just (only) saved, but taken from the position of enemy of God (enmity) to child of God! Oh what grace and mercy! Is He not to be praised continually in our hearts?

(Rom 8:15) “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” The relationship between God the Father (Abba – Daddy) and the true child of God is a sweet thing. One finds themselves longing to please Him as any young child their parent. We now look to Him to meet our needs, to comfort our hearts, and to guide our way

(Rom 8:15) “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” When it comes to the things of God, it is eternally imperative that you be honest with self. One must examine their heart with honesty. Do I have a longing for the things of God? Do I think of Him as my Father? Do I have a thirst for His Word? Do I long to be in the house of God?To fake it or assume it or dismiss it is to condemn one’s eternal soul.

(Rom 8:12)  “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13)  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”   The Spirit of God prompts us to be obedient the God’s Word. God has chosen to do His work through the local saved body of believers – the church (Matt 16:18). The books of the NT were either written to churches or to those ministering to churches. If a person isn’t prompted towards the local church then they have not the Spirit.

(Rom 8:12)  “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13)  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”  Here the answer is given as to why some who one day pray the Sinner’s Prayer did not continue and live for God. Answer: they were never saved in the first place. The Spirit of God never led them for He was not in them.

(Rom 8:12) “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.”  We owe this flesh nothing but distain, for it would lead us away from the blessings of God. “Debtor”: to owe for a service rendered. We owe the Lord Jesus everything, for the saved are in possession of eternal life and all that entails – now – sitting in the heavenlies (Eph 2)! Have you lived your life as if you owed Him? 

(Rom 8:11) “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”  The body we dwell in that die (v.10). For the believer, it is the “shadow of death” (Ps 23:4) rather than death like the unsaved, for our soul and spirit come into God’s presence (2 Cor 5:8). Yet, this body that be “made alive” (quickened), raised into an incorruptible glorified state! This is a part of the Spirit’s work in us!

  (Rom 8:10)  “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.’  The body is still dead because of its corruption, but now spirit-life (everlasting life) has been imparted by the Holy Spirit of God Who now resides within us. The righteousness referred to here is not “our” efforts at holiness, but Jesus’ which purchased our salvation.

(Rom 8:9) “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”   Notice that if one does not have the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit) then one is not saved. It is He, the Spirit of God, that gives spiritual life. Since He is God, He therefore is Holy. You can see how the saved would question the salvation of one who still demonstrates the desire for the flesh (unholiness) over the desire for God (holy living).

(Rom 8:9) “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”  This verse is the key verse to understanding the chapter. The saved are “in the spirit”; the lost are “in the flesh”. One cannot please God till they repent (turn from their sinful life), ask forgiveness and the gift of Everlasting Life through the blood and the resurrection of God’s Son. Then one’s spirit is given life and the Holy Spirit seals the soul.