Spirit of Sonship is Conviction of Righteousness

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)

The Holy Spirit in us tells us that we are children of God, that we have been adopted into His family as sons:

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Romans 8: 14)

How do we know that we have this Spirit in us? First, we believe that in Christ, we receive no condemnation (Romans 8: 1)

We believe on this then confess this out of our mouth:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10: 9-10)

And no one can say that Jesus Christ is Lord, except by the power of the Holy Spirit:

"Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (1 Corinthians 12: 3)

Now, this same Spirit of Sonship lives with in us to convict us of three truths:

"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16: 8).

Sadly, many believers all too quickly conclude that all three is destined for the believer -- yet that is not the case at all.

"Of sin, because they believe not on me;" (John 16: 9)

If you are now a believer, then you are no longer convicted of sin. You were convicted of sin, then you believed, and now the Holy Spirit convicts you of something much better:

"Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more" (John 16: 10)

We, beloved, are convicted of righteousness, the same righteousness as Jesus Christ Himself (2 Corinthians 5: 21) Any thoughts of judgment, shame, regret, or fear are NOT from God, but from the enemy!

"Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 11)

This enemy who would attack us with his fiery darts has been judged, and therefore he can do us no harm!

As a child of God (1 John 3: 1), you have within you the constant reminder that not only are you a child of God, but that conviction that you are fully, totally righteous in His eyes!

The Spirit of Sonship, in effect, is the Conviction of righteousness!