"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." The Apostle Paul seems to be telling us the main criteria for being a son or daughter of God is to be led by the Spirit. He uses a sort of reverse logic to make His point by first stating his premise and then making the arguments to support it. Those who are sons and daughters of God must be led by the Spirit because they have become part of God's family by being adopted by Him and receiving His Spirit (vs. 15). Then what does it mean to be led by the Spirit? The previous verse gives us some insight:
"For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (vs. 13). Those who live according to the Spirit and not according to one's own will and desires will live forever. Being led by the Spirit is a pattern of conduct that encompasses all of one's life. It means that through the power supplied by the Holy Spirit when you are adopted by God as His son or daughter (by receiving His Spirit) you quit making choices and quit behaving in ways that are self-serving and you start making choices and start behaving in ways that are in accord with the Holy Spirit's guidance.
