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 19 of 20

WAITING FOR THE HOPE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Those in Christ "hunger and thirst for righteousness." They acknowledge they have not yet "apprehended that for which they have been apprehended," but they live in anticipation of the same. They are mastering the art of living in an imperfect state while joyfully anticipating the fruition of their faith. Although they "come short of the glory of God," they are not utterly frustrated by the experience. Still they "press toward the mark," eagerly seeking to obtain the prize. How are they able to accomplish these spiritual feats?

The Holy Spirit is imminent in their efforts. Joyfully the faithful confess, "For we THROUGH THE SPIRIT wait for the hope of righteousness by faith" (Gal 5:5). They know God "is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24), Thus, they put their faith in Him, striving for perfection in the persuasion it shall be obtained. Those so living are being led by the Spirit. You cannot account for their spiritual tenacity apart from God's Holy Spirit.

Led by the Spirit to obey

Obedience is integral to our relationship to the Lord. It is the immediate evidence of the "effectual working of His mighty power" (Eph 3:7). The disobedient heart has resisted the Holy Spirit, for there is no place for disobedience in God's kingdom. It is never right to disobey God, and disobedience will never be blessed. There are no exceptions! When, therefore, we are found obeying the Lord, we can rejoice we are in possession of marvelous evidence of Divine working. Hear the word of the Lord, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth THROUGH THE SPIRIT unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (1 Pet 1:22). No man is capable of "obeying the truth" without the influence of the Holy Spirit! Wherever obedience is found, the Spirit has been at work.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Christ, thank You for the marvelous working of the Holy Spirit.

-- TOMORROW: PRACTICAL MATTERS --
MONDAY: New Series, CONSIDERING HEAVEN