Romans: Our True Identity

Romans 8:12-17

Have you ever wondered if you are truly a Christian? Yes, you prayed the prayer, are involved in a church, and have done your share of good deeds. You seek the Spirit's guidance in your life; however, you also recognize your own spiritual struggles and tendencies toward specific sins. You cringe at the thoughts that come into your mind and the desires that invade your heart. Yet, you also know that sometimes you don't recoil from those sinful thoughts and desires. Instead, you let them settle and play out internally. 

And then there are times when doubts creep in, and you question, "Is all of this really true?" Maybe, as you lie awake at night, unsettling thoughts arise: ‘Did God really send his Son to die on a cross for my sins? Does my trust in Jesus truly save me? Is this place called heaven real?’ 

Today's passage reminds us of our new identity, affirming who we are in Christ. Let's look at what Romans 8:12-17 says.

Romans 8:12
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 

The word "brothers" is generic, referring to "brothers and sisters." All of us are "debtors." The Greek word (opheiletai) means to owe something to someone or be obligated to another. The believer's obligation is not to the flesh (sinful nature). Paul has taught that we have died to the flesh, meaning that, through God's work in our lives, we are separated from the control of our sinful nature (Rom. 6:11-12; 7:5-6; 8:9-10). Our responsibility now is to live under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Empowered by the Spirit, we are to train ourselves to follow the Spirit's leading (Titus 2:12). Here's why:

Romans 8:13-14
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 

When Paul says, "If you live according to the flesh you will die," he is not implying that a believer who sins will lose their salvation and spend eternity in hell. "You will die" literally means "you are about to die" or "you are at the point of dying." Paul is emphasizing that true believers who revert to following their sinful desires will not experience the spiritual life that God intends for them. If someone has been "declared righteous," their actions should not appear as if they are still living in unrighteousness.

Paul addressed this issue with the believers in Corinth because they were acting like "people of the flesh" (1 Cor. 3:1-4). When we live by the power of the Spirit, we render the inclinations of our sinful nature ineffective. We should look and behave like children of God. All who the Spirit controls "are sons [and daughters] of God."

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 

The Holy Spirit provides freedom from the old nature, enabling us to "walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). We are no longer bound by fear and separation from God. In fact, we are adopted into God's eternal family.

Consider this: here is our new spiritual identity. We are sons and daughters of the living God! Through Jesus' work, he has adopted us and given us his Spirit. We can approach the eternal God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and call out, "Abba! Father!" Abba is the transliteration of the Aramaic word that conveys a loving term for one's father, like the English word "daddy." It expresses tender care, love, and closeness. Don't miss the incredible truth here. We, who still struggle with sin, can approach the holy God, the Creator of everything, and call him "Abba! Father!" "Daddy! Father!"

There are two points I want us to take away from this verse. First, it affirms the closeness of our relationship with God, since this is how Jesus addressed the Father when he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before dying on the cross. Jesus, our Savior, cried out, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will" (Mark 14:36). 

Second, it is only because the Spirit dwells in us that we can use this endearing term. Paul wrote to the Galatians: "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God" (Gal. 4:6-7).

Let's summarize this once more: The Spirit lives within every believer, empowering us not to remain "debtors" to our sinful nature, but to "put to death the deeds" of the flesh. The Spirit frees us from our former identity as slaves to sin and fear and signs our "papers of adoption" into God's family. We belong to him, which enables us, through the Spirit's power, to call out to God in the most loving terms, like a child calling out to their earthly father, "Daddy! Father!" This is our new identity in Christ. That's who we are!

Now, let's revisit the original question: Do you ever wonder if you're genuinely saved? This verse highlights another role of the Spirit living within us.

Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God….

The Holy Spirit assures us that we belong to God. The Spirit speaks to our spirit and "bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." Let the comforting truth of this verse sink into your heart.

The word "children" (Grk: tekna) literally means "born ones." Because of Jesus, we have been "born again," giving us the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Jesus said that believers have been "born of the Spirit" (John 3:6, 8). Since we have been "born of the Spirit," the Spirit knows we belong to God and confirms this in our spirit, saying, "You are mine!" 

And it gets even better. Those who have trusted in Jesus have an eternal inheritance.

Romans 8:17
…And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 

We'll discuss suffering further next time. Today, let's focus on our future glory. The believer's inheritance is eternal life in heaven, living forever in a resurrected body. Just as we identified with the death of Christ, "we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his" (Rom. 6:5b).

There will be suffering in this life. We'll face questions and doubts, experience loss, and deal with illness. We will mourn the loss of loved ones and confront our own frailty as illness and aging weaken our physical and mental capacities. But when we know Jesus, we don't live just to die. We live in the newness of life that he offers, so that we may have eternal life. 

One day, we will trade in our "fleshly suits" and receive new bodies fitted for eternity. What a day that will be!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Romans 8:12-17. Focus on the power of Romans 8:16.

Talking to God: Do you relate to God more as a distant authority or as a loving Father? What helps or hinders your ability to call him "Abba"?

Zoom Call: We’re excited to invite you to a special Zoom call on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM as we come together to reflect on what we’ve learned in our study of John and take a midpoint review of the book of Romans. The link to join the call will be found in the October 6 Daily Devotion email. 

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to help as we study God's Word together. Please submit your question below, and we'll respond shortly. Let us know if you would like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you are seeking spiritual guidance.