“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
Every child’s DNA comes from both of their parents. They will inherit some aspects of their parents’ physical make-up (eye colour, hair colour, height, metabolism, etc.), and even aspects of their character and temperament.
The same is true if we are children of God. The Spirit will develop in us the traits of God’s character. Traits like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We will grow to love righteousness and hate wickedness. We will grow in mercy and grace towards others, seeking that their souls may be saved from the power of sin. We will be angry at the injustice in the world.
The presence of the Spirit within us is God’s testimony to us that we belong to Him. The Spirit does not dwell inside all people, but only in those who are part of God’s family, by faith in His Son. If we have the Spirit – if we know when He is prompting us to do good, or to depart from evil – then we can know that we belong to God. Also, when we are disciplined by God, we know that it is bceause He loves us (Heb. 12:6). If we were not His children, He would simply leave us to suffer the consequences of our sinful actions. But He disciplines us, so that we will learn not to continue in those things. God loves us too much to let us get away with sin.
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