“For
all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” - Romans 8:14
Living
a holy life by keeping the law is impossible. Biblical characters in the Old
Testament tried it and failed. Human flesh is just too weak to keep the law.
Therefore, God sent His own Son to earth to live as a man and to die as an
offering for our sins. Jesus fulfilled the law by living a perfect life and
then dying in our place. Once we exchange our sinfulness for Christ’s righteousness,
we no longer live by the Law according to the flesh, but according to grace by
the Holy Spirit (Romans
8:3-4). We are holy, because He is holy
within us.
Walking in the Spirit
requires reliance on God moment by moment throughout the day. Everything from
justification through sanctification and on into our future glorification is
all a work of God's Spirit on our behalf. We cannot sanctify our self any more
than we can save our self (Galatians 3:1-3). It is a work of God from beginning to end. As we open our hearts to be
used by God as He wills, He puts us in the right place at the right time to
carry out His perfect plan and to affect the lives of everyone around us.
As we surrender to the
lordship of Jesus Christ in our life, He works all things out for our good (Romans
8:28). He provides exactly what we need
when we need it the most. He gives us unmistakable evidence throughout our
lives that we are walking in the Spirit and that He is hearing our prayers. He
leads us as we provide for our family, lead someone else to faith, sing a
special in a church service, teach or assist in a class, help in the church
kitchen, direct a ministry or Pastor a church. As we live a surrendered life,
He accomplishes His work through us for His glory.
Doing the Will of God brings with it not only spiritual blessings, but
physical and emotional blessings as well. The fruit of living righteously is
peace in every area of our life; the effect of living righteously is quietness
and confidence forever. God’s people live in peaceful dwelling places, in
secure homes and in undisturbed places of rest (Isaiah 32:17-18). His hope fills us with joy and peace as we trust Him, and our life
overflows with hope (Romans 15:13).
God desires that our good lives silence those who foolishly condemn the
Gospel without knowing what it can do for them. They never experienced its
power, but we have. Therefore, as we live as those who are free to do only
God's will at all times, our light shines and makes them realize their need to
glorify Our Father in heaven (1 Peter 2:15-16). As we delight in the LORD, live
according to His precepts and meditate day and night on His Word, we live like
a tree that is planted by streams of water. We always have all the nourishment
we need to yield spiritual fruit when we need it. Our life flourishes and
everything we do prospers (Psalm 1:2-3).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, keep us from hypocracy, which turns
people away from a life of love and peace with You. Help us to walk Holy, even
as You are holy (1 Peter 1:16), because You live in us and Your
holiness can flow out from us (Colossians 1:27). Give
us the strength to walk away from opportunities to sin (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22).). Let our light so shine that men will see our good works and glorify You (Matthew
5:16).
Thought for the Day:
Reading
the Bible turns you wholly and solely to the Holy Spirit of God, and brings you
into full union with and dependence upon Him.Thank you, Thomas Castler, for the use of your photo.
