The Purpose of God's Spirit in Us

Jesus died once for anyone who believes in Him. We will eventually be raised with Christ into immortality, because death no longer has any mastery over Christ in us.

We used to be slaves to sin, but now we owe our allegiance to Christ as slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:1-18). Each moment of our life, we submit our plans to God's direction (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Through the sanctification process by His Spirit, the carnality in our body and soul decrease and He increases within us (John 3:30). Even our physical life is His.

Through His life within us, although our body may go to the grave, our spirit and soul live forever with God. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and are part of Christ’s Body (Romans 8:9).

The Spirit transforms our life by giving us His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). We exhibit fewer carnal characteristics in exchange for the nature of God.

We have more love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, self-control and faith. We have less greed, anxiety, deception, evil thoughts and actions, pride, rebellion, impatience and intolerance for others.

God's Spirit calls us to a life of faith and obedience, and we respond by relinquishing the depravity in our life in exchange for the holiness of God (Romans 12:1-2).

Our life is hidden with Christ in God through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Peter 1:4; Hebrews 3:14, 6:4; Romans 6:11). As we realize that we are already dead in Christ (Colossians 3:3), we no longer control our life; He does.

God's Spirit is more and more able to express Himself through our body, spirit and soul – our mind, will and emotions – as we live a surrendered life to Him.

Prayer:

Father God, You are waiting for us in Heaven (Matthew 6:9), but You are always with us through Christ and Your Holy Spirit, even to the end of the age of grace (Matthew 28:20). We give You all of the praise and glory due to Your name. We cry "worthy" to the Lamb who gave Himself to be slain for us before You even created the world (1 Peter 1:20).

Thank You that Jesus sent the Spirit of truth to come and guide us into all truth. The Spirit speaks Your words to us and reveals to us what is yet to come (John 16:13). As our triune God, You come to make Your home in everyone who obeys Your Word and the teachings of Christ (John 14:23).

Thought for the Day:

The purpose of God's Spirit within us is to sanctify our carnality, to transform us into the nature of Christ, to guide us into all truth and to comfort us in every affliction.

Our Divine Identity

 

 

Human beings are born with a body and soul, which are alive, but our spirit is dead on arrival. Our spirit is buried under the layers of generational sin since the time of Adam and Eve (Ephesians 2:1-5). Our living soul – our mind, will and emotions – is fragile and often fails under the weight of life. Circumstances beat us down relentlessly.

Our dead spirit and our unhealthy soul affect our body as well. Without Christ as our Savior we are crippled in life. We search relentlessly to find the missing piece, which will make us whole. What we lack is the vital power of God. No one is intrinsically good except God (Mark 10:18). Therefore, we need Christ to move into our life.

Once we come to Christ we are totally complete in Him (Colossians 2:9-10). Jesus is our only way, truth and life (John 14:6). We have no meaningful existence without Him (2 Corinthians 13:5). He lives through us, making good choices, which last for eternity (Colossians 3:3). He anoints us with His Holy Spirit and power (Acts 10:38).

We live, move and have our existence only in Jesus (Act 17:28). Christ actually does the work of God through us (Romans 12:15; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 12:27). Our true identity as Authentic Christians comes from Christ living in us and expressing God’s character through us (Hebrews 13:20; Galatians 5:22-23).

We are all united with Christ in His Body. He uses us as individual members, each with unique gifts and talents. We work in ministries both to a corporate, church Body and to the dying world around us. God equips us to walk in His will through Christ in us. We live to fulfill His eternal purpose with our life (Matthew 11:29; Ephesians 2:10).

Prayer:

Father God, You give us Your eternal life, which no one can take from us (John 10:28). We are unified with You, and we are beneficiaries of Your divine will (1 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Peter 1:4). We have constant fellowship with You, Your Son and Your Spirit (1 John 1:3, 9; Phil 2:1). Thank You for seating us in heavenly places in Your Son (1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 2:6). We give You all the praise, honor and glory.

Thought for the Day:

Any identity not centered in Christ is merely temporary and fleeting.

 

I Am a Night Watchman

 

A Night Watchman is not my job, but my calling. The ancient Jews divided time into the evening, midnight and morning (Psalm 90:4; Lamentations 2:19; Matthew 14:25). The Greco-Romans added a fourth watch between midnight and morning (Mark 6:48, 13:35; Matthew 14:25). I stay awake all through the night and early morning hours, keeping the midnight watch, with our Lord who never sleeps (Psalm 119:148; 121:2-4). I keep Him company as He watches over all those who are sleeping and working all over the world.

A watchman guards flocks, fields, cities and homes. They protect them from ambush by sounding the alarm when thieves, predators and intruders try to disturb their peace. The Bible uses the word “watchman” to describe someone who proclaims God’s Word. During my watch, I pray and I write this blog to present the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 62:6-11; Ezekiel 3:17). People may read these words and repent; but even if they do not repent, I have delivered my soul (Ezekiel 3:18-19; 33:6).

As members of Christ’s Body, we are to tenderly watch out for one another (Philippians 2:1-4; Mark 13:28-37; Ephesians 4:32). We are devoted to each other, giving preference to one another in the way the Holy Spirit leads us (Romans 12:10; James 1:27). We help everyone, but especially those faithful to the Lord (Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:8). In doing this, we fulfill the law of Christ and we actually lend to the Lord, who gives back 100-fold (Galatians 6:2; Proverbs 19:17).

If we do not lend to the Lord, then when we have a need, no one will notice (Proverbs 21:13). The idols erected by the flesh, the world and the devil will soon come to their demise along with the people who build or believe in them. King Jesus is about to take His throne. We look forward to the return of the Lord more than the watchmen who waited with yearning for the new day to dawn (Psalm 130:6). For now, I pray and watch (1 Peter 4:7).

Prayer:

Father God, keep us from growing complacent in this day and time, so that we forget to be watchful for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to be vigilant when people need help during these end times, which are wrought with turbulent circumstances. Give us a word and resources for them in their time of need (Isaiah 50:4; Isaiah 62:6). We look forward to the dawn of the new day when King Jesus takes His throne. Cause people to hear Your Word through Your watchmen (Hebrews 13:7).

Thought for the Day:

How far gone is the night? When will morning come?  - Isaiah 21:11