Before our grandsons were born, the parents chose names for the twins. The names were associated with the family and with a nation of origin. It was a significant choice because the babies will carry those names for the rest of their lives and maybe even beyond. They belong to the family through their birth.
Romans 8:14 speaks of an even more important name than the one given us by our parents. Through the working of the Holy Spirit we are adopted into God’s family. When we identify our heavenly parent as “Abba” by the working of the Spirit, then we are recognized as belonging to Abba. Because we belong, we are deemed an heir. Thus, we gain the freedom and the glory granted those who are identified as the children of God.
But there is a proviso mentioned in the text. We are heirs and joint heirs of Christ, “if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.” (verse 17) We are not only joined to the family of Abba through the working of the Holy Spirit, we also are linked to Jesus and his suffering.
Holy Spirit, thank you for enabling us to belong, and help us to be willing to enter suffering with Jesus. Amen. —