In this stirring message from Romans 8:14–17, Pastor Devon Ortiz calls believers to examine whether they are truly led by the Spirit and living out their identity as children of God. He reminds the church that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (v.1), and that this freedom should not lead us back into a mindset of bondage or fear, but into an intimate, joy-filled relationship with our Abba Father.

Paul teaches that those who are in Christ have received the Spirit of adoption. This means more than just being added to God’s family—it means we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. In Roman culture, adoption signified full legal standing, inheritance rights, and the cancellation of past debts. Spiritually, it means that our sinful past is no longer held against us, and we share in the spiritual riches of God—peace, joy, love, and eternal glory.

But this Spirit-led life requires a daily choice: will we feed the flesh or the Spirit? Pastor Ortiz illustrates how small decisions—what we consume, what we dwell on, what we listen to—can either feed our carnal nature or help us mortify the flesh and grow in holiness. Over time, when we consistently choose the things of God, our spiritual taste changes. What once seemed burdensome—church, Bible reading, prayer—now becomes a joy, not a duty.

He also challenges the mindset many Christians fall into—viewing God as a strict taskmaster rather than a loving Father. When we cry “Abba, Father,” it should come from a place of deep gratitude and joy, not fear or obligation. The Christian life is an investment in eternity, not a burden of religious duty.

Finally, Pastor Ortiz explains how suffering with Christ is part of being a child of God. Trials serve as proof of who we belong to. Like a sponge, when we’re squeezed by life’s pressures, what comes out reveals what’s inside. If Christ is in us, then Christ will come out—especially in hard times. That’s why Paul concludes, “If so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.” (v.17)

This message urges believers to evaluate what their life reveals—does it reflect the Spirit of God, or something else? And are we truly walking as children of the King, or still living as slaves to the flesh?