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.

Baptism - a new opportunity

Paul speaks of coming to Christ, leaving sin, and receiving grace in Romans 6. He ties this in to baptism, thus it becomes quite clear that baptism is necessary to come to Christ (while circumcision clearly isn't based on Chapters 4 and 5).

Also, continuing to sin is not okay - just because Christ can cover your sins doesn't mean that you should sin so that grace can abound. Important to not sin once you've accepted him, in your heart and through baptism.

Here's a few of Paul's thoughts on baptism, accepting Christ, leaving sin, and grace:

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that ^agracemay abound?

2 ^aGod forbid. How shall we, that are dead to ^bsin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were ^abaptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are ^aburied with him by ^bbaptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the ^cdead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should ^dwalk in ^enewness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the ^alikeness of his^bdeath, we shall be also in the likeness of his ^cresurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our ^aold man is crucified with him, that the^bbody of sin might be ^cdestroyed, that henceforth we should not serve ^dsin.

Uncircumcised of heart; outward ordinances useless without inward conversion

It appears that the prophets and Apostles of the church throughout time have had different understanding than the leaders of the church when there aren't prophets and Apostles. Also, sometimes the common members have been dogmatic about certain things that the leaders have not. A great example of this is circumcision. Generally speaking, the Jews thought it incredibly important to be circumcised. There is some scriptural evidence of this, however, you must note that Moses actually said that it was terrible to be uncircumcised of heart (in other words, bad to not live the gospel inside) a couple times without commenting on the need to be circumcised ever. There's only one story (with his son) that shows circumcision is important, but multiple verses saying being a true Jew on the inside is important ("true Jew" meaning circumcised of heart).

Here's Leviticus 26:41 mentioning the need to be circumcised of heart:

And [that] I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:

Ezekiel 44 emphasizes the need to be circumcised in flesh and the heart:

Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

Also, the Book of Mormon and Romans both emphasize being circumcised of heart:

Here's Romans 2:

29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and ^acircumcision is that of the heart, in the ^bspirit, and not in the letter; whose praiseis not of men, but of God.

Here's 2 Nephi 9:33

33 Wo unto the ^auncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.

Being, in your heart, a follower of God is the true test. Outward ordinances (or outward confessions) are important, but worth nothing if the heart is in the wrong place. This is taught in all of the books of scriptures, Old and New Testament, and the Book of Mormon.

Have a great day.