Spirit-led (Lent 21-2013)

The Holy Spirit is, in my view, the best kept secret of evangelical Christianity. Whether it’s out of our fear of being perceived as too charismatic, or that He goes by the name Holy Ghost and this seems remarkably unscientific, or maybe just that we can’t see the spiritual, we treat the Holy Spirit like the member of the Trinity who truly embarrasses us. Not me! I love the Holy Spirit and today’s passage (Romans 8:12-17) outlines why.

The Holy Spirit leads us from slavery to sonship, from the uncertainty surrounding death to the assurance of eternal life, and from fearful outcasts to adopted children of God, heirs of eternal blessings as part of God’s family!

How many of us long for relationship that is stable and reliable! How many of us wish for the security of true love that never leaves, to feel safe, or to feel like we are part of a truly loving family! The Holy Spirit’s indwelling believers testifies to all of this.

He leads us by His presence from slavery to sin and from fighting the impossible fight to keep the law. Then, He leads us through conviction, repentance, and faith to His dwelling in our hearts as a guarantee that we are, in fact, God’s children. He brings the law to life in us rather than keeping us as outcasts afraid of the impossible standard and the death our failures to meet it entail.

Do you have the Holy Spirit? How do you respond to the way He leads you from slavery, fear, and uncertainty to the assurance of sonship, hope, and eternity in the glorious presence of God the Father?

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Give it up for Lent: Contentment with slavery when you can have sonship

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For further study:

1. Read 2 Cor 1:21-22 and Ephesians 1:13-14.What kind of assurance does the Holy Spirit give us?
2. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in leading us? Read John 16: 7-15.
3. Read John 1: 12 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” What does this passage say about adoption into the family of God?
4. How does the Holy Spirit testify that Jesus was the Son of God and that believers have hope of sonship?