ROMANS Study Guide

Paul drives home the understanding that our victory over the soulish life allows us to enjoy an intimate family walk with God by His Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that gives God’s children the sense of God’s presence and impresses our hearts with his immediate messages to our hearts. Such personal intimacy with God prevents us from getting under the law and to stay free to walk personally with God.

We are Family

1. We are sons (daughters) of God: vs.14

Our sonship is confirmed in our “being led by the Holy Spirit.”

Scripture states “the steps of a righteous person” are “ordered”

by the Lord. (Ps.37:23)

Notice Paul’s Spiritual leadin g in Acts 16:6-7

# He tried to enter Asia Minor: Spirit forbids him

# He tried to go into Bithynia: Spirt of the Lord did not permit

them

# He is called to Macedonia: Spirit given vision

Such working of the Holy Spirit in us builds a confidence of our belonging to God and his family in Christ Jesus.

2. Adopted: vs.15

This is the communications of the Holy Spirit that we “belong” to God’s

family. We can have an inner assurance we are not servants but sons/

daughters and we “experience the surging love of God in us” making us

shout out the experience of our intimate relationship with God (abba =

daddy father). Rom.5:5; 8:15

3. Children of God: vs.16

There is an inner witness that we belong to God - we “hear” or

“understand” as the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts. This should be an

ongoing experience for all God’s children - the assurance of our salvation

and God’s presence in our life.

4. Heirs and joint heirs: vs.17