Weekly Devotional 10-20-14 Led By the Holy Spirit
In a recent Bible study the felicitator asked the class if they believed that God directs the path of his children, those He has regenerated to spiritual life. The class concluded that He does. To a certain extent, they were correct. Thinking this through, we must conclude that God is indeed involved in the life of all of His children. Paul in his letter supports that conclusion. He wrote “28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30 NKJV).
Certainly then, God is involved in the life of those whom He has called unto Himself—He is conforming them into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. But, does he always, each moment, direct their paths? Perhaps Paul answers that question in his letter to the Galatians, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16 NKJV).
It would seem that if God directs the path of His child— a Christian, there is a condition attached; the condition of being under the authority of the Holy Spirit. James concludes for us, “13Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” James 1:13-14 NKJV).
God therefore does not direct the path of the one who is not surrendered, who has not placed himself or herself under the authority of the Holy Spirit. Again though, it must be said, even though God may not be directing the path of the un-surrendered it doesn’t mean that He is not involved in his or life. He is after all conforming believers into the image of His son.
Each day we must consciously place ourselves under the leader-ship, the authority of the Holy Spirit if we want to be led by Him. Considering that the fruit of the Spirit is “22love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23a) Why would we not want to be led by the Spirit? Especially in the light that there is no condemnation, there is no law against such things (Gal. 5:23b).
Again, turning to the Apostle Paul we read, “1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:1-8 NKJV).
Oh that you and I might be continually led by the Holy Spirit. It is possible, even though compromised from time to time, by sin. It need not be of long duration. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” and in so doing our fellowship with Him is restored (see 1st John 1), and we will once again be led by the Holy Spirit.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of man
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