A New Sense of Belonging

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God…” (Romans 8:14)

Loneliness and isolation seem to be increasing markedly at the present time. In general, as a society, we are more alone than ever – that has been a trend for some years. The more time we spend on devices on social media, the less time we seem to spend with people. According to Statistics Canada1, 4 in 10 Canadians report feeling loneliness and isolation during the pandemic. Japan has recently named a government ministry for loneliness and isolation, following in the footsteps of the UK who made a similar move not long ago. Do you resonate with this sense of loneliness—a lack of knowing and being known? One of the great miracles of Christ’s resurrection is the new sense of belonging that it provides to those who live according to the Spirit. This sense of belonging is available to you today.

One of the great miracles of the gospel is the change of relationship it brings with God the Father. Life was lost in the Garden – humanity was cast out of the presence of God. In our natural state – apart from Christ – we ought to tremble before God, knowing that He is our Judge and we rightly stand condemned before Him. But, as Paul reminds us in Romans 8:1, “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Life was purchased by Jesus at Calvary. Everyone who has turned from sin in repentance and received Christ by faith now belongs to Jesus and has received the Spirit of God – the very life-giving presence of God. Do you have this life today, and are you living in the good of it?

But our change of status with God is not simply a matter of declaration in the divine courtroom – it is something deeper and something profoundly relational. We go from being creatures under judgment to being children under grace. All who are truly converted – all who have received the Spirit and are led by the Spirit—are sons of God (Romans 8:14). And the Spirit stops us from being fearful of condemnation and, instead, gives us the assurance of our adoption into the family of God. It is the Spirit who enables us to cry out, “Abba”, which is an affectionate word for Father (Romans 8:15). Indeed, the Spirit enables the children of God to have the boldness – what might seem, the audacity – to call the God of heaven and the judge of all the earth “dear Father” (Abba Father). We might feel nervous about doing it – it might seem impertinent or out of place—but the Spirit assures our hearts, bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God and rightly belong to His family (Romans 8:16).

How wonderful it is that, through the Gospel, God is our Father. And how wonderful that the Spirit reassures the believer of adoption into the family of God. Rejoice in your glorious sense of belonging as children of God, “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). If you are a follower of Jesus and you are feeling loneliness and isolation today, be encouraged that you truly belong within the family of God. Ask the Lord to renew that sense of belonging in your heart by His Spirit. If you don’t know Christ

but hunger for a true belonging with the Father above, come to Him through Christ and He will welcome you with a free access and warm familiarity through His Spirit.