So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to
the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the
flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the
body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you
have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided
we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans
8:12-17 ESV)
The great
problem is sin but the greater help is the Holy Spirit. With the decision to
follow Jesus, life moves from dependence upon self to trust in God. To overcome
sin requires dying daily to self and relying on the Son. This is only possible
by being led by the Spirit. Believers
put to death rebellious attitudes, ambitions and actions only by the Spirit of
God. And by the same Spirit they do not fall back into errant practices.
My four
children were dedicated to the Lord as newborn babies. To know and do God’s
will is the doorway to lifelong joy and peace. Dedication means wanting a child
to live-out the purpose and plans of the Lord.
What you do
in life and how life turns out is not something revealed in a single snapshot. Life
is a journey, a pilgrimage that unfolds step-by-step. Living often involves unexpected
twist and turns, sometimes setbacks. Many have had to start from scratch all
over again, even more than once. Disappointments and frustrations occur.
In the
classic movie “The Natural,” starring Robert Redford, the exceptional baseball
player finds himself in a hospital because of a mistake done years earlier. His
childhood sweetheart visits him and they ponder together the regretful blunder.
The woman responded, “I believe we live two lives – the one we learn from and
the one we live with afterwards.” No one can personally predict everything life
will ask, even things rendered unfair. The bottom line is that you have one
life to live and constantly need help bringing that life to ultimate
fulfillment.
Loving the
smell of sea air and enjoying activities associated with boats and beaches I
never saw myself leaving Washington State, let alone the West Coast. Yet I have
lived in several parts of the country.
Brenda and
I talked about having two children maybe three, never ever considering the
possibility of four.
I never imagined
overseeing a college, a couple of great churches in Chicagoland, or serving in
statewide church leadership. Yet all these things were asked of me and I attempted
to faithfully serve with dependence upon God.
A couple of
times I have been asked, “What is the hardest thing about leadership? Working
with difficult people? Experiencing days filled with extended hours? Dealing
with crisis or tragedy?”
The hardest
part of leading is knowing God’s will. Discovering the direction He wants to go
and effectively implementing His plan is critical.
The book Outliers
by Malcolm Gladwell gives a strong argument against the myth of being
self-made. Every case study in the book
shows a consistent pattern: People were successful because of opportunity and
preparation, both working simultaneously. Those following Jesus know that God
is the author of opportunity and also helps in preparation.
Instead of
God leaving you to figure out what to do, the Holy Spirit has come. Everyone
needs His continual help. He is referred to as Helper in John 14-16. The word in the original language is “Paracletos,”
meaning “One called alongside to help.”
The Holy
Spirit wants to come beside you and assist in your daily journey and eternal
development. He seeks to actively direct your life. To what extent is He
allowed to operate in you? Does He have your permission to guide you? Have you
called upon Him for help?
Much of
what can be learned about the help of the Holy Spirit is found in the books of
Acts. Luke reveals the practical and spiritual journey of the newly born faith-community.
Every chapter tells stories about people being Spirit-led. The activities of
the early church help you learn how to follow His lead.
He helps in your
understanding of God
God does not want His children
wandering around in a quagmire of error and uncertainty. The Holy Spirit leads
you in your discovery of God. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide
you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but
whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are
to come.” (John 16:13 ESV) Error is alien to Him.
The Holy
Spirit reveals what is true about the person and nature of God as opposed to
the thoughts developed by manmade reasoning. He especially brings greater
understanding to the truths of Scripture, God’s written word.
Consider
the townspeople of Berea: “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by
night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now
these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word
with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were
so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high
standing as well as men.” (Acts 17:10-12 ESV)
The Holy
Spirit helps you see the God of Scripture in lieu of the gods of culture.
He helps in your
education of life
He is the teacher/guide. As
Guide He brings a person to the point of truth and as Teacher He instills that
truth in their life.
“But the
Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach
you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
(John 14:26 ESV)
The Holy
Trinity is involved in your education. The Father sends the Holy Spirit in the
name of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit teaches and reminds you the truths about the
Son. He is the divine memory prompter.
Another
dimension of teaching relates to upholding the message of salvation. “Do not be
anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the
Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke
12:11-12 ESV)
The instruction
of the divine Teacher is greater than human astuteness. “And we impart this in
words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting
spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13 ESV)
Weighty responsibility is upon those instructing others
about the truths of God. Relying on the Holy Spirit is imperative when talking
to people about Jesus.
He helps in your service to God
“While they were worshiping the Lord
and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the
work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid
their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit,
they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.” (Acts 13:2-4
ESV)
The Holy Spirit reveals how you can best serve the Lord.
God has plans for every believer and shows them where
they can bring advancement to the cause of Christ. How He reveals the divine calling varies with each person
yet comes from the same source.
He helps by illuminating
the future
While believers spurn fortune-tellers,
the Holy Spirit can and does reveal the future when it serves His purposes. He
wants to influence your plans and actions.
“And while
Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are
looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I
have sent them.’” (Acts 10:19-20 ESV) The Holy Spirit
established Peter’s impending action.
The Holy Spirit sometimes guides by closing doors of
opportunity. “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia,
having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.” (Acts 16:6
ESV) Some direction comes negatively (“you can’t”)
and others positively (“you can”).
“While we
were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And
coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said,
‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man
who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (Acts
21:10-11 ESV) The Spirit consoled Paul about the
upcoming danger associated with God’s plan.
The revelation to Paul was not for the purpose of changing
directions. The Holy Spirit had established his
course while in Macedonia. The Lord was now assuring Paul that he was on the
correct path and calling others to lift him up in prayer.
Spirit led
Rely on the Spirit of God. Gain His help. Let Him guide you
into all truth. He is the perfect Teacher. His leading is always on the ideal
pathway. He knows your future as if it is happening today.
Give
testimony of being God’s child by depending on the Holy Spirit.
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