The Spirit Himself witnesses together with our spirit that we are children of God,
Truth to Learn
The Holy Spirit is the true witness of our salvation.
Behind the Words
The words “witnesses together” is from summartureō, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” or “with” and martureō, which means “to testify” or “to give witness.” Hence summartureō means “to testify jointly” or “to give witness together.”
Meaning Explained
In the previous verse we were told that we who are saved have the Spirit of adoption and because of this adoption we can call God the Father our “Daddy.” In the secular world today it is often said that we are all brothers and sisters because all people are God’s children. According to the Bible this is not true. Also, there are many supposed Christians who claim that God is their father when He is not. This was also true in Jesus’ day. As He taught in the temple, this is what He had to say to those who claimed to be believing Jews:
Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came forth from God; for I have not come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you want to do. (John 8:42-44a)
So, if there were so many deceived ones then, and many today who think that God is their Father, how can we tell for sure that we are saved and God is our Father? The current verse tells us how. We know that we are saved, that we have been adopted by God the Father, because He has given the Holy Spirit exclusively to His children. The Spirit is not only our seal and the guarantee of our inheritance; He is also the only true witness of our salvation and adoption by God. That’s what the current verse says.
So exactly how does the Holy Spirit “witness together with our spirit?” The Holy Spirit witness together with our spirit in those still, quiet moments, when we sense the peace that only He can give. A peace that passes all understanding, a peace that exists in the midst of trials and tribulation. It is that calm assurance that we have submitted to the Father and we have committed to do His will above our own. We have accepted His grace in the form of the blood of Christ because we believe that Jesus died to pay for our sins, and He rose again from the grave. It’s that assurance that we are saved! It’s the Spirit’s witness.
Application
Do you know for sure that you are saved? Have you experienced the Holy Spirit bearing witness with your spirit?
If so, you are a genuine, guaranteed child of God. If not, then perhaps it’s time to fall on your knees before the God of all creation, confessing your sinfulness, and asking Him for salvation, submitting yourself to your Lord and Savior:
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.(Romans 10:9, 10)
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved
