Romans 8:1-9 speaks to the point of living a life that is totally spirit led in every aspect. In
fact to live anything less is telling God we don’t trust Him, and that is a mistake. Paul was an authority on trusting God and living His life in the spirit in every aspect. In verse 9 he states, 9 But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about. The fact is we should know what Paul is talking about because that is exactly how we live our lives…..in the Spirit. In verse 28 Paul shares a very important word with us that is very familiar. All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to HIS purpose. His purpose is found in the realization the Holy Spirit gives each of us who know Christ. Living a Spirit-Led life is an exciting life of purpose and intensity. God’s purpose and intensity are so much more than we can comprehend or totally realize, so the pool that we draw from is never ending and fresh. So how come we don’t access that pool of power? We have a constant tendency to fall back into living our life with a worldly perspective. A perspective that leaves out what God can do in a situation. Our perspective should be, “OK, reasoning says this, but let’s ask God what His perspective is and what He can do.” When we look at it that way, everything begins to change and hope and faith are reaffirmed and strengthened. I need that strength to live the victorious life Christ has made possible for each of us. I need to see the things around me through Christ filtered eyes and see those situations for what they really are; tests to grow my faith. Not only grow my faith, but concrete my faith. My son recently put in a new pool behind their home and in one part of the concrete he, along with his wife and children, put his hands in the wet cement and left an impression that dried when the concrete dried. Now when you go to their home and walk around their pool, you can see their impressions of that time when the pool was almost completed and they poured the final concrete. It’s a reminder every time they go swimming of the process of getting the pool completed. Our life in the Spirit also has many times when we need to make a mark as a reminder of when God completed another step in our life. That way every time we start to enjoy the fruit of living in the Spirit we see and remember that point in time when God was molding us to be more like Him. Life in the Spirit is something that cannot be fully explained, but just commented on because it is different for each of us. That is even more confirmation of how close God watches and protects us in the varying circumstances of each individual believer. Now, that’s a God who cares and empowers!!! Listen to what Paul wrote to the Corinthians about thinking and living as Spirit-filled believers. 2 Corinthians 5:1 For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven – God-made, not handmade 2 – and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move – and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! 3 4 5 The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. 6 That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. 7 It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Keep going, but let the Holy Spirit guide your steps and remember, Trust God!! The Pilgrimage continues… David Warren