Romans 8:14-17

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs" (Romans 8:14-17 RSV).

Comment:

I've expanded the passage you requested a bit to be sure that Paul's full intention is clear in this important statement from his letter to the church in Rome. He is planning a visit to Rome and hopes to be welcomed and supported by the small group of Christians already formed there. He emphasizes his own understanding of the ministry and message of Jesus Christ. For Paul, that ministry and message have nothing to do with fearfully obeying yet another religious authority. That kind of fear-based religion is precisely what Jesus wants us to put behind us as we understand and embrace the Truth of our relationship with the Divine. We are 'children of God,' made of the same spiritual essence as our Source. And since that is true, it follows that all the Hebrew scripture metaphors in which we are fearful servants of a mighty Lord must be abandoned. As children, we have rights of inheritance; all that God is, we are.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed