Romans 8:16-17 – “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” NASB

You got it!  AMEN!  I’ll give it an Amen!  When the Holy Spirit witnesses to your human spirit that you are a Child of God, rejoice!  That means as a child of God, you are an heir; beyond that, you are a fellow heir with Christ. 

We will not only suffer with Him but also be glorified with Him.  Fellow believers, there is a better day coming!  A day of triumph is coming for those who are faithful until the end.  A day of glory is coming for those who endure to the end.  There is an eternal day coming for those who are washed in the blood of Jesus and have their sins forgiven.  What more do you need to give you the courage to stand firm and true than the witness of the Holy Spirit that you are indeed a child of God?

Early in my ministry, I attended a meeting in Tyler, Texas, led by the Church of God in Christ organization.  There were probably a couple of thousand people in attendance, and the speaker was a pastor from Houston.  The elders were sitting at a table in the front on the floor level directly in front of the pulpit, and the Evangelist was charged with receiving the offering. 

After well over an hour of testifying, preaching, singing, and motivating the congregation to give, they did almost to a person by coming down the aisles and standing in front of the elders putting their offerings down. The elders recorded it in their books.  He turned to the choir that was seated on the floor level at that time, and as they began to come forward, he stopped them saying, “Unh Unh honey, some of you women are too dressed up to be puttin’ them quarters on the table.”  

Then he turned to the preachers on the platform and yelled, “Can I get a witness?”  The place erupted with clapping and shouting.  I left the meeting at almost 11 PM that night, and they had just finished taking the offering.  I do not know when the service was over, but I had a ball but had to go to work the following day, so I could not say. 

I was preaching and working a secular job while attending college, so my time was precious, but I would not trade that night for anything.  I learned something about enthusiasm for worship and willingness to be open and direct with regard to what people were doing.  It was refreshing then and is now when I see and experience it.

The only real witness we need concerning our spiritual condition is not the testimony or accolades of men. It is the witness of the Holy Spirit.  If our hearts condemn us, we need to take stock, but if the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God, stop fretting, doubting, worrying, and rejoice!  Your name is in the Book of Life, which is the most important thing.

As you go through your day, go in the witness, comfort, and encouragement of the Holy Spirit.  God bless you richly, is my prayer!