According to Romans 8, to be a child of God is to be led by the Holy Spirit, to have the Spirit's indwelling presence, and to be a son and heir with Christ, already in present tense.
Romans 8 reveals that believers are not merely hope to be but are already the children of God, as confirmed by the Holy Spirit. This relationship is marked by freedom from the spirit of bondage, the indwelling Spirit, and a joint heirship with Christ. Les Feldick emphasizes that this status is present reality, not future hope.
Romans 8:14 — This verse directly defines children of God as those led by the Spirit of God.
Romans 8:16 — This verse shows the Spirit's witness confirming our present status as children of God.
Romans 8:17 — This verse connects being children to being heirs and joint heirs with Christ.
In Romans 8:14, the Apostle Paul writes, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." The present tense "are" indicates that this is a current reality, not a future hope. Romans 8:15 adds, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." This shows that believers have received a spirit of adoption, not fear. Romans 8:16 continues, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." This verse establishes that the Holy Spirit directly confirms to the believer's spirit that they are indeed children of God. Romans 8:17 concludes, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Thus, Scripture clearly links the identity of being a child of God with the indwelling Spirit and the privilege of inheritance.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Romans 8 reveals truths that were not made known in the Gospels but were revealed through Paul for this present age. He points out that when a person becomes a child of God, the Holy Spirit, as a person of the Godhead, not only raises them from spiritual deadness but indwells them. This indwelling is the proof of salvation and the power for a changed life. Feldick stresses that being led by the Spirit is the mark of a true child of God, and he contrasts this with the spirit of bondage, explaining that believers have received a spirit of adoption, allowing them to cry "Abba, Father." He clarifies that adoption in this context does not mean taking in an unrelated child, but rather a full, mature son relationship. He also highlights the present tense reality: "they are already, not going to be, the sons of God." The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and this status brings with it the assurance of being heirs and joint heirs with Christ. Feldick uses the analogy of joint heirship in marriage to illustrate the shared inheritance believers have with Christ.
The Holy Spirit is essential: He raises us from deadness in sin and indwells believers (Clip 0). Being led by the Spirit is the mark of a child of God (Romans 8:14). The Spirit also bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). The Spirit's indwelling is the proof of having eternal life (Clip 7).
Les Feldick clarifies that the word 'adoption' in Romans 8:15 does not mean what we normally think of—taking a child from another union and making them legally ours. Instead, it refers to receiving a spirit of adoption that places us as complete, mature sons (Clip 1, Clip 5). This adoption allows us to cry 'Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15).
Les emphasizes the present tense in Romans 8:14 and 16: 'they are' not 'they will be'. He stresses that we are already children of God, not merely hoping to become so (Clips 1, 2, 3, 4). The Spirit's witness confirms this present reality (Clip 2, 4, 5). This is a present-tense relationship, not a future one.
As children of God, believers are heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Les Feldick compares this to joint heirship in a marriage where everything is shared (Clip 4). He also connects this inheritance to ruling and reigning with Christ in His future kingdom (Clip 6).
Les Feldick clarifies that being free from the Law does not mean we have permission to sin. Instead, the Spirit provides the power to keep us from desiring wrong things, which the Law could not do. He says believers may not always behave like sons, but God is faithful (Clip 2).
Holy Spirit's Indwelling
Les teaches that in this age, becoming a child of God involves the Holy Spirit raising us from spiritual deadness and indwelling us—a truth not found in the Gospels.
Led by the Spirit and Adoption
Les explains that being led by the Spirit marks us as already the sons of God, and that 'adoption' here means full, mature sonship, not the usual idea of bringing in a child.
Spirit's Witness and Present Sonship
Les highlights Romans 8:16, showing that the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are now children of God, not merely descended from old Adam.
Present Tense Sonship
Les uses the analogy of a disinherited son to illustrate that earthly disinheritance is possible, but the biblical truth is that believers are already children of God in the present tense.
Joint Heirs with Christ
Les explains that being a child (teknon, born one) makes us heirs, and joint heirs with Christ, comparing it to the sharing in marriage.
Adoption and Heirship
Les reinforces that we have received the Spirit of adoption, making us mature sons, and that this is confirmed by the Spirit, leading to our inheritance as joint heirs with Christ.
Ruling and Reigning
Les connects our identity as children of God to our future role in Christ's kingdom, where we will rule and reign with Him.
Indwelling Spirit as Proof
Les teaches that the indwelling Holy Spirit is the proof that we are genuinely saved and have eternal life, and our position has changed from being in the flesh to being in Christ.
Romans 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
This verse defines the children of God as those who are led by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
This contrasts the spirit of fear with the Spirit of adoption, leading to intimate access to God.
Romans 8:16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
This verse shows the Holy Spirit's internal testimony confirming our status as children of God.
Romans 8:17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
This links being children to inheritance and glory with Christ.
Being led by the Spirit means that the Holy Spirit directs and guides a believer's life, and this is the characteristic of a child of God. Les Feldick emphasizes that this is a present reality, not a future hope.
According to Romans 8, it is a present reality. Believers 'are' the children of God now, as the Spirit witnesses to our spirit, and we are already heirs with Christ.
Les Feldick explains that this is not about bringing an unrelated child into a family, but rather it places believers as complete, mature sons, allowing them to cry 'Abba, Father'.
Watch the Teaching: What Paul Teaches That You Won't Find in the Gospels