Live in the Spirit

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Not long ago, I read an article in which the author said this: “In the Old Testament, God the Father was rejected. In the New Testament, God the Son was rejected. And today, God the Holy Spirit has been rejected.” 

It was an insightful, yet stunning indictment on today’s church. He makes a valid point that some, for whatever reason, forget, neglect, or discount the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I think the Apostle Paul saw this in some of the Thessalonian Christ followers, so he told them, “Do not stifle [quench] the Holy Spirit” [1Thessalonians 5.19]. One translation puts it this way, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”

It can happen by ignorance; perhaps they’ve never been taught to live by means of the Spirit. They’ve been told about the Father and the Son, but have not received guidance on the person of the Holy Spirit. It could be they’ve been told to pray a certain prayer, get baptized, go to church regularly, live the best you can, all of which they can do themselves. 

But then they begin to face things that can’t be accomplished solely by human acuity. Things like: Show love to your enemies. Die to yourself. Take up your cross and follow Christ. Live godly lives. Be a living testimony of God’s grace. Fight for your marriage. All of these things (and many others) require a helper. That Helper is the Holy Spirit [John 14.15-17]. 

If you are trying to live out your faith in your own strength, you must be miserable, and probably very weary. Stop! Start relying on, and living by means of the Holy Spirit. He is the divine Helper promised by Jesus. Surrender to Him and utilize the power He has made available to each and every Christ follower. Walk hand-in-hand with Him. Listen to His voice and follow His instructions. He will guide you into all truth [John 16.13]. That’s living in the Spirit.

This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4.6