Section 2
the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." This verse is a continuation of the foregoing portion in which Paul tells us that we must walk accord ing to spirit (v. 4). In a sense, to walk according to spirit is to be under the leading of the Holy Spirit. By means of this short sentence Paul turns the whole concept from that of the sanctified ones to that of the sons of God. At the end of verse 13 the thought was on the sanctified ones, the ones who were condemned, justified, rec onciled, identified, and eventually sanctified. With verse 14 Paul introduces the concept of the sons of God. How are we sanctified? By walking according to spirit. In a sense, walking accord ing to spirit means to be led by the Spirit of God, and "as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." In this way Paul turns us from sanctification to sonship.
The Spirit of Sonship
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery to fear again, but you have received a spirit of sonship in which we cry, Abba, Father." How did we receive this spirit of sonship? By the Spirit of the Son of God coming into our spirit. Galatians 4:6, a sister verse to Romans 8:15, says, "And be cause you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of