by Beth Fore
For if you live according
to the sinful nature, you will die; but
if by the Spirit you put to death
the misdeeds of the body, you will
live, because those who are led by the
Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive a spirit
that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit
that we are God’s children. Now if we
are children, then we are heirs—
heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ, if indeed we share
in his sufferings in order
that we may also share
in his glory.
(Romans 8:13-17 NIV)
The Holy Spirit Gives Me Life
Holy Spirit, You are the One
who convicts me of my sin.
You call to my remembrance
the truths Christ taught to men.
When I live according to my flesh,
my sinful man’s desires I unleash.
But when I live by Your Spirit,
my mind is filled with life and peace.
When my mind is governed by flesh,
I cannot please God with my hostility.
But when I abide in the Spirit’s realm,
I live in Christ who gives me liberty.
Holy Spirit, when You live in me,
through righteousness, You give me life.
But when the flesh reigns in me,
my sin causes me to live in strife.
Please testify with me, Holy Spirit,
that I’m God’s child and Christ’s co-heir;
and by sharing in Christ’s sufferings,
in His glory I will also share.
I have the hope of redemption,
and my spirit groans inwardly.
I hope for what I do not yet have,
and I wait for it patiently.
I know that I am one of God’s chosen,
and through Christ I am justified.
Nothing can separate me from His love
and He left You to be my guide.
written by Beth Fore
*People who live lives that are led by the Holy Spirit will live because they are sons of God.
“For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14 NIV)
Every person has the choice to live a sinful life in the flesh and die, or live a life led by God’s Holy Spirit that leads to everlasting life. As a Christian, I know that when I am giving in to my desires and seeking to do whatever pleases me and gives me pleasure. This life separates me from God and His will, and it will result in the death of my spirit within me and a physical death that separates me from God.
God’s Holy Spirit convicts me of sin and brings to my mind the truths of Jesus. The Spirit gives me freedom and liberty. He testifies that I am a child and an heir of Jesus Christ, and I will one day reign with Him and live in glory. The Spirit of God groans for me when I cannot express myself in words, and He gives me comfort and peace. The Spirit, living in my heart, empowers me to live a godly, righteous life.
*The believers, who are both children and heirs of Christ, will share in His sufferings so that they will also share in his glory one day.
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17 NIV)
Christians understand and deeply appreciate what Christ suffered and sacrificed on the cross for our sakes. He was a perfect, holy, sinless deity; yet, He was willing to take all of the sins of mankind onto Himself so that all of us could be forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled with God the Father. Christ expects us to love Him with all of our hearts and to be willing to suffer, and even die, to bring honor and glory to His holy name. There is a cost to discipleship, and that cost includes suffering for Him, and we should be willing to suffer for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
APPLICATIONS
- What does it mean, to you, to have the Holy Spirit of God living in your heart and leading your life?
- Make a list of the things the Bible that tells us what the Holy Spirit does in our lives, as Christians.
- Do you hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you? How does the Spirit of God communicate with you?
- We are children and heirs of Christ. What does it mean to be a co-heir with Christ and know that we have an inheritance from God, our Father?
- Reflect on your life and see if you can recall any times that you suffered for Christ because you were living the Christian life.
- Too often, today, the Christian life is depicted as a life of blessings, wealth, and good things happening in our lives. The Bible clearly states that the Christian’s life will also include suffering for Christ. Why is this an important concept to include in our teaching other people the gospel?
If you want to learn more about what it means to be a Christian or to become a Christian, click this link: https://woww.newlifebehavior.org/what-it-means-to-follow-jesus-how-to-become-a-christian/ If you have questions, please send us an email at nlbiministry@gmail.com.
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