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 17 of 20

WHAT OF THOSE NOT LED BY THE SPIRIT?

What of those who are NOT "led by the Spirit." What of those who "quench," "grieve," and "resist" the Holy Spirit of God (1 Thess 5:19; Eph 4:30; Acts 7:51). Like it or not, they are "under the Law." They are, so to speak, on their own. If they will not be led by God's Spirit into the justifying grace of God, they must be "judged by the Law." As it is written, "and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law" (Rom 2:12).

If this seems too harsh, think about the matter again. God has spoken too clearly on this subject for anyone to remain ignorant of it. Those resorting to Law for justification not only are NOT being led by the Spirit, they have departed from the safety zone. "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace" (Gal 5:4). That language is so powerful, only spiritual deadness can obscure it to the heart! Now that a righteousness has been made known "without the law," clinging to the law as a means of obtaining divine acceptance is intolerable (Rom 3:21). Such is a condition that brings unspeakable reproach upon the Lord Jesus Christ. As it is written, "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Gal 2:21). The thought of setting aside the grace of God and reducing Christ's death to "nothing" is startling, jolting even the lethargic soul. Yet, that is precisely what results from a refusal to be led by the Spirit.

Dead to the Law

Those, however, whose hearts have been affected by the Gospel of the grace of God, gladly yield to the leading of the Spirit into heavenly places, where all spiritual blessings are enjoyed. With them, "daily life" is not the issue, but "eternal life." "The world to come" occupies the attention of those led by the Spirit, while "this present evil world" fills the vision of those who are not led by Him. Mark it well, the Holy Spirit leads us into a realm where the Law cannot condemn us. We actually become "dead to the Law through the body of Christ" (Rom 10:4), and the law has no power over a dead person (Rom 7:1-4)! We died to the law when we came into vital union with Christ, being "joined to the Lord" (1 Cor 6:17). From a practical point of view, we became dead to the Law when we lost our appetite for sin. Now we love the Law because we also hate the sin it condemns--and the Law will not condemn those that love it!

We have been led into this state by the Holy Spirit. Using Scripture and our tender hearts, He has brought us to see the foolishness of sin and the wisdom of righteousness. The perception of the true natures of the Lord Jesus and the devil has constrained us to receive Christ and resist the devil. The Spirit has led us to this place, and now we are free from the condemnation of the Law. Hallelujah!

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for such a profound deliverance!

-- TOMORROW: HOW CAN WE BE DELIVERED FROM THE LAW? --