Can I Get a Witness?

The Word is first...

Romans 8:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Having been born into the family of Adam, I am keenly aware of my heritage and inheritance. The Bible lists out some of the details of that inheritance such as;

1. Death. 1 Corinthians 15:22
2. Dead in my transgressions and sins. Ephesians 2:1
3. A propensity to follow the ways of the world, disobedience. Ephesians 2:2
4. Being God's enemy. Romans 5:10
5. Being a slave to sin. Romans 6:17
6. Condemnation. John 3:18
7. Disobedience and lack of love. 1 John 3:10

To be sure, there are many others and my 'rap' sheet had grown to gigantic proportions before it was erased. And there's the heart of the matter. As much as I was a child of Adam in my life before Christ, I am even so a child of God now that I have Christ! My 'rap' sheet has been completely, irrevocably and eternally ERASED by the washing of it with Christ's blood. When I came to proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was 'plucked' from the family of Adam and adopted into the family of God.

Through the years I've used the term 'red-headed step-child' as means of conveying the concept of being treated as a partial son. That is not what I am to God. In the eyes of God, I am a child born into his family. This is the promise found in 2 Cor 5:17 which states that the 'old has gone, the new has come.' As if calling Jesus my brother is not enough, The Bible details the inheritance I have as a child of God such as;

1. Made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22
2. Alive to God. Romans 6:11
3. Reconciled, presented holy without blemish and free from accusation. Colossians 1:22
4. Participation in the divine nature of God and escape from worldly corruption. 2 Peter 1:4
5. I am the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
6. Works of righteousness and love for others. 1 John 3:10

Now, the thing is that you don't have to take my word for it. I've got a witness to my assertion that I am a child of God! The Holy Spirit testifies with (not to) my spirit that I am God's child. So when I come before God in that moment of judgment, not only will Jesus say "I know that one and his debti is paid" but The Spirit will testify that I AM a child of God and that as such, I am entitled to my co-inheritance in Jesus Christ. With Jesus as my advocate and The Spirit as a witness for the defense, I am certain that I will be acquitted of all charges.

I've got a witness, now can I get an Amen?

Peace Out,
Carl