Romans 8:12-25 (English Standard Version)

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Heirs with Christ

12So then, brothers,^[a] we are debtors,^(A) not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you^(B) put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are^(C) led by the Spirit of God are^(D) sons^[b] of God. 15For^(E) you did not receive^(F) the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of^(G) adoption as sons, by whom we cry,^(H) "Abba! Father!" 16^(I) The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then^(J) heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,^(K) provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Future Glory

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time^(L) are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for^(M) the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation^(N) was subjected to futility, not willingly, but^(O) because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that^(P) the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that^(Q) the whole creation^(R) has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have^(S) the firstfruits of the Spirit,^(T) groan inwardly as^(U) we wait eagerly for adoption as sons,^(V) the redemption of our bodies. 24For^(W) in this hope we were saved. Now^(X) hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we^(Y) wait for it with patience.



We are not given a spirit of slavery to fall back into our old sin, but a spirit of adoption. The point is, God has given me everything I need to break the power and chains of sin in my life. Since being adopted as his son, I no longer am a slave to sin. I have the power to make the choice to please God with my choices instead of myself. In the heat of the moment, this is often hard for me to remember, but I'm going to try and meditate on this truth today so that when I am tempted, I will remember to choose to please God.