Living in the Spirit – Darlene Edmondson “The Holy Spirit within us produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22 NLT).
‘One day a gentleman walked by an apple tree and noticed a little boy sitting under it.’ The man asked,” Are you trying to get an apple?” The boy replied, “No, I’m trying not to.”
What a cute scenario that pretty much sums up our old sin nature.
It is amazing that God’s response to Adam and Eve’s sin was not to punish them as a Judge. Instead, He protected us all when He kept them from eating from the tree of life in their fallen state, saving us from an eternal fallen nature. He also clothed them with merciful tenderness like a loving Father would do. At first glance, love’s oldest story appears too good to be true. Yet, the miracle of God’s unending faithfulness astounds us.
Marked by uprightness, those who belong to Christ have had their sinful nature, the old creation and its desires crucified and nailed to the cross with Christ. The old has passed away and we are part of God’s new creation. Believing this truth and reminding ourselves daily, allows us to forsake our old patterns, habits and sins. When we allow the Spirit to lead us, He empowers us to avoid sin, puts to death the deeds of our body and produces the fruits of the Spirit in our life. Whatever God asks us to do, the Holy Spirit helps us to accomplish in His strength. We are now alive in the Spirit, in Christ, and no longer a slave of Satan in the flesh.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Gal 5:16 NLT
In a continuous fashion, the Holy Spirit communicates with the believer’s spirit that we belong to God. And If we are children, then we are heirs. ‘Expressly, heirs to inherit God Himself or what God has in store for us—-or both’ (Moody Bible Commentary 2014).
Precious Father, we thank you for sending the Holy Spirit who helps our weaknesses and enables us to overcome temptations.
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