We have love from the
Father, grace from Jesus and communion with the Holy Spirit (2
Corinthians 13:14). The Spirit seals,
justifies and sanctifies us in the name of the Lord Jesus (1
Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 1:22). He
also sheds the joy and love of God in our hearts (Romans 5:3-5). He changes us into the image of Christ (2
Corinthians 3:17-18). Our body is the
temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19). The Holy Spirit fills us with righteousness, peace
and joy, so that we abound in hope through His power (Romans
14:17, 15:13).
Our talents from God are not
performed by human effort, but in demonstration of the Spirit and the power of
God (1 Corinthians 2:4, 12:4-11). We
speak, not according to human reasoning, but according to God’s wisdom, which
the Holy Spirit teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). By God’s Spirit we proclaim that Jesus is Lord. We
operate in His gifts and minister in His name (1 Corinthians 12:3; 2
Corinthians 3:6; 6:4-6). If we do not
have the Spirit, we do not belong to God (Romans 8:9).
Our unconverted spirit is
dead in sin and ungodliness. If we live in the flesh, we will die in the flesh.
However, if we take up our cross and die to the flesh each day, we are free
from the spirit of bondage to sin and we receive the Spirit of adoption as
children of God (Romans 8:10-16, 23).
The Holy Spirit within us searches our heart, helps our human frailties and
makes intercession for us according to the will of God (Romans
8:26-27).
By sin and obstinacy, we can
resist the Holy Spirit and stop His work in our lives and in the world around
us (Acts 7:51). As we submit to the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, He leads us to serve in the areas of our spiritual
gifts. In this way, we obey the will of God and further His Kingdom in the
earth (Acts 20:28). As we walk after
the Spirit and not after the flesh, we are free from the law of sin and death.
The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us (Romans 8:1-4).
Abraham became the father of believing Gentiles through Christ, so that we can receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14, 4:6). The carnal flesh within us wars against the Spirit, but the Spirit within us is stronger (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6). We do not perfect our self through works of the flesh and sheer will power, because the Spirit, who began a good work of perfection in us, will completely sanctify us (Galatians 3:1-3). We, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of this righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:5).
If we cater to the flesh, we
reap the corruption of the flesh, but if we focus on the things of the Spirit,
then we reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:8).
Therefore, if we walk in the Spirit, we do not fulfill the lusts of our flesh (Galatians
5:16-18). As we crucify the flesh with
its desires and live by the Spirit, He strengthens our inner man (Ephesians 3:16). The Spirit fills us with His fruit of love, joy,
peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control (Galatians
5:22-25).
We are not to grieve or quench the Spirit, who seals us until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). We use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and pray in the Spirit with perseverance. We also pray in the spirit to intercede for all the Saints, especially for the persecuted church (Ephesians 6:17-18; Philippians 1:19). We are to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, so that we do not live in carnal excess, such as being drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:18).
The Holy Spirit warns us that in the last days, people will depart from the faith, giving more credence to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons instead of to God’s truth (1 Timothy 4:1). However, God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). The Bible is our guide for our faith and practice. We live, not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but only by His mercy. God washes, regenerates and renews our spirit by the Holy Spirit, which He abundantly sheds on all of us through Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 3:5-6).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your blood gives
us eternal salvation through the Spirit of God, because You offered Yourself up
to death on the cross to purge our conscience of dead works so that we can
serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:2). Those who trample the concept of Your blood and
consider it worthy of scorn, even though the Holy Spirit clearly proclaims that
salvation comes only through You, gain for themselves a harsh punishment (Hebrews
10:29). Help us to share the good news
of Your Gospel with everyone who will give us the opportunity, so we can help
to spare them from eternal damnation.
Thought for the Day:
We can build up our faith by
praying in the Spirit. - Jude 1:19-20 (More about praying in the Spirit tomorrow.)
