Good morning. I hope you slept well. We are back in Romans. We are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh – for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you're putting to death the deeds of the body you will live. Sadly too many Christians are living like they're not Christians. They do whatever feels good. But that was the old man. The new man should not be doing those things. ( of course sometimes the old man tries to get up out of the grave.) We are to put to death the deeds of the body with the help of the Holy Spirit. Of course we can't do that on our own. But that's what they tried to do under the old covenant. They could not because you need the Holy Spirit to help you - you cannot do it on your own. Who are the sons of God? All who are being led by the Spirit of God. We have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. We can have a knowing inside of us that we are children of God. Of course we are not supposed to depend on feelings; but sometimes you really do feel like there is someone inside of you. To be the children of God would be enough on its own; but there is more. And if children, then heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. How awesome is that! Even the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. Why? Because the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We have the first fruits of the Spirit within ourselves, and we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Father thank You that we are Your children. Thank You that we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ and are being led by the Spirit of God. We can truly say "Abba! Father!"

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