Embracing Life in the Spirit
As Christians, we’re on a journey to live a life directed by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 offers valuable insights into the role and person of the Spirit, providing practical guidance on how to walk with Him. Here are seven key takeaways to fuel your passion for the things of the Spirit.
From Slavery to Adoption
The Holy Spirit acts as our go-between, taking us out of a place of slavery and fear and bringing us into a place of adoption and acceptance. He helps us cry out to God as Father and testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Without the Spirit, we’d never know our freedom and identity as God’s adoptive children.
Resisting the Pull of the Flesh
We can’t simply extract thoughts that displease God from our minds. Instead, we need to be filled with thoughts oriented toward the things of the Spirit. The person who has been regenerated by the Spirit is not stuck in sin. By the Spirit, the pull of the flesh can be resisted. We must say no to sin by the Spirit, not just by our own willpower.
The Spirit’s Guidance
The Holy Spirit leads us broadly through His written Word and sometimes directly. We should prayerfully, carefully, and humbly apply broad biblical wisdom to the situations we face in our lives. Anticipate that the Spirit will sometimes choose to lead us directly if we’re open and available to His guidance.
Eager Expectation
The biblical concept of hope is almost a synonym for “eager expectation.” Our focus shouldn’t be on life getting better here; it should be absorbed with the glorious life to come. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives reminds us of the stark contrast between the wonderful things God has prepared for us and this fallen world.
Weakness in Prayer
We’re weak when we come to prayer, often unsure of what to pray for. The Spirit joins to help us, interceding for us with wordless groaning. He searches our hearts, knowing our mindset is focused on Him, and presents prayers to the Father that are according to His will.
A Relationship with the Spirit
To experience the Spirit’s power, we need to know Him as a Person and begin a relationship with Him through prayer. By embracing life in the Spirit, we can live a life directed by Him, resisting the pull of the flesh and eagerly expecting the glorious life to come.
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