November 3, 2002

THE SPIRIT HIMSELF BEARS WITNESS

Romans 8:13-16

   "For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the spirit of sonship, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:16). It should be plain that because we have received the spirit of sonship, that the Holy Spirit adds His witness with the witness of our spirit (our new nature) confirming that we are the children of God. With sonship comes honor, dignity, privilege, and inheritance.

   Our sonship is manifested now by our cry, "Abba, Father." But the creation waits for our full "manifestation of the sons of God" at the resurrection. We now have the "firstfruits of the spirit," the new nature, yet are saved by hope as we wait for our "sonship, the redemption of our body" (8:23).

   Romans 2:15 speaks of Gentiles, who "show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness..." To what does their conscience bears witness? Is it not to their own guilt and sinfulness as their thoughts either accuse or excuse their deeds? Similarly Paul could call upon the witness of his conscience concerning his great sorrow and heaviness of heart for his brethren, kinsmen according to the flesh. To these we ask: "Is this witness real?" Of course it is, and we can all personally attest to the reality of our conscience, whether distressed or at peace. How much more is this Divine witness of God real as the Holy Spirit joins our spirits witnessing that we are indeed the children of God!

   The only other cry "Abba, Father" is in Mark 14:36 where the Lord, anticipating the anguish and suffering of the cross could say, "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me, nevertheless not what I will but what Thou wilt." Is it not striking that this same cry expressing dearness and nearness should be uttered from our lips as we are told that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us" (8:18). We suffer now, but we have His witness of glory ahead!

Ivan L. Burgener