A Spirit of Adoption
Rom 8:15,16 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
Those who belong to Christ don't live in fear of condemnation. For by God's grace there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, their sins having been atoned for by the blood Christ and thus their eternal security is not based on their works, but upon the work of Christ accomplished for them.
But while salvation could have stopped at justification, God went beyond that, adopting as children those who were formerly his enemies. In fact "adoption" is not a strong enough word in that what was accomplished was not simply a legal transfer of ownership, but a regeneration characteristic of new birth. For “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”John 1:12,13 and “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God”1John 5:1a Consequently, “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, <"Abba>, Father.” Gal 4:6
The relationship with the Spirit is a basis of one's assurance of salvation. For “this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” 1John 3:24b
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources