Becoming Children of God; liberating or captivating

Sometimes people think that following rules can be restrictive. While it's true that when there are "restrictions" that limits you in some ways, technically speaking, generally restrictions free you up to do other things or avoid pitfalls.

Paul speaks about the idea of being a child of God. What is a child of God?

Paul says (Romans 8):

14 For as many as are ^aled by the ^bSpirit of God, they are the^csons of God.

It's critical to follow the Spirit to be a son of God. Based on previous chapters it appears that we've learned the following from Paul:

1) circumcision isn't necessary to be a "son (or daughter) of God" (Romans 4 and 5)

2) baptism is (Romans 6)

3) following the Spirit is necessary (Romans 8)

4) Continuing to sin isn't consistent with being a son of God (Romans 6)

Paul addresses the idea of "bondage" to God in Romans 8:15:

15 For ye have not received the spirit of ^abondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of ^badoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

As we do enough things to be "adopted" by the Father, both we and he have a change in relationship. We consider him a Father, and he is able to bless us more.

16 The Spirit itself beareth ^awitness with our ^bspirit, that we are the ^cchildren of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; ^aheirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we ^bsuffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

When we have become his children we become heirs to what he has. All of the blessings and experiences that come along with being a joint heir with Christ help make this not a "bondage" but instead a very good father/son relationship.