Presence & Power预览

LIVES IN YOU

What does the Spirit living in us mean for our lives?

The summary of Romans 8 in one word is ‘freedom’. This chapter has been called the chapter of eternal security! Freedom from judgment, defeat, fear, and discouragement. It speaks into every human’s basic need for safety, belonging and esteem. It starts with God’s mercy, for there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus and it ends with God’s grace. We cannot be separated from His love. Charles Trumbull said it like this,

The eighth of Romans has become peculiarly precious to me, beginning with ‘no condemnation,’ ending with ‘no separation’ and in between, ‘no defeat.

Romans 8 reminds us that the Spirit living in us is the very same power that raised Christ from the dead. The Spirit in us is confirming we are adopted as children of God. The Spirit in us is freeing us from the bondage of sin. The Spirit is proclaiming freedom - freedom to live as a child of God, freedom to choose life, freedom to worship, freedom to access God’s presence, freedom to live righteously, freedom to live a life of strength, freedom to live as heirs of God and freedom to no longer live as slaves! It is a freedom to choose to live by God’s standards and not our own, to worship Him instead of ourselves, to choose the right way instead of sin, to live a sacrificial life instead of a life of indulgence. Freedom to choose Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will always lead us, guide us and empower us to repentance, truth, love, and holiness, but only as we choose to be led by Him. Spurgeon says,

We are led as we cooperate with the leading. It does not say, ‘As many as are driven by the Spirit of God.’ No, the devil is a driver.’

The Holy Spirit wants to lead us into Jesus if we allow ourselves to be led by Him.

Today, thank the Holy Spirit for the freedom you have in Christ. Thank Him for His leading and ask Him to lead you further into Jesus. Is there any area in your life where you feel you need freedom? Why not submit this to the Holy Spirit and ask the Holy Spirit to help and lead you in this area of life?