LED BY THE SPIRIT

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17)

Devotion 1 of 20

INTRODUCTION

Does the Holy Spirit lead men today? As may be expected, a variety of views are available to those choosing to approach Scripture from the human point of view. However, you must zealously avoid approaching Scripture from that vantage point. Unlike other writing, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim 3:16-17). Thoughts coming from God are not to be carried in the container of human philosophy. They are profitable for doctrine, or teaching, not philosophizing. Properly seen, they will correct wayward thinking, bringing men into harmony with the One who will judge them. The Word of God finds its real utility in the realm of "righteousness"; i.e., a human condition that is approved of God. The objective of "all Scripture" is the spiritual maturity of "the man of God." When such an one is equipped to do the works of God, profit from Scripture has been realized. Our approach to this subject must be driven by the realization of these conditions.

Not just an interesting theme

This perspective is essential in our approach to the subject, "The Leading of the Spirit." We must not view this theme from a novel or interesting perspective. We will establish that the leading of the Spirit pertains to the life of faith; that it is NOT limited to the initiation of the "day of salvation." Some may be tempted to think salvation, or identity with Christ, removes the necessity for Divine guidance. This is not the case. Rather than excluding its necessity, the new birth brings us into the realm where guidance from above is possible. How wonderful the promise expressed through David, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psa 32:8). Israel received a similar promise. "And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not" (Isa 58:11).

Both David and Israel possessed Scripture. With them, Divine guidance did not preclude the necessity of that Scripture. Such direction does not necessarily indicate a lack of information on the part of the one being directed. We will establish in this series that direction has more to do with implementing the will of the Lord than with increasing the knowledge base of the one being directed.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You, in Jesus' name, that we have not been cast on the sea of life with no hope of Divine direction!

-- TOMORROW: THE NEED TO BE LED --