Saturday, May 6, 2023

Living and Behaving as God's Children

“The good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” [1]

The Apostle Paul speaks of the dilemma he faces as one who wills to do good, and yet his sinful nature wills to do evil. He cries out…

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” [2]

He does not want to be bound to a body that wants to do evil. Who will deliver him? He states the answer to this question…

“I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” [3]

Thanks be to the Lamb of God; He removes the stains and shame of the sins we commit when we repent and ask Him to forgive us.

But there’s better news with Jesus Christ. Paul continues…

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” [4]

Jesus Christ gives to believers in Him, His Holy Spirit to help us walk with our Lord and Savior. To help us reflect HIS goodness! Paul continues…

“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” [5]

The Holy Spirit is someone new to us. He gives us divine spiritual life. He raises us up to serve God in ways that we never could before. His presence in our life is the sign that God has adopted us…

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” [6]

“The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Forgiveness of our sins by the Lamb of God, and the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit is our Abba Father’s provision for us to be adopted into His family, and to help us behave like children of God.

“Jesus, Son of God, thank You for redeeming us from our sins. For forgiving all the sins we have ever committed against God and people! Thank You for giving us Your precious indwelling Holy Spirit to live in us, to pray within us, and to help us live as the Heavenly Father’s children. Glory, blessing, and honor be unto You forever and ever. Amen.”

[1] Romans 7:19-20
[2] Romans 7:24
[3] Romans 7:25
[4] Romans 8:1
[5] Romans 8:11
[6] Romans 8:15-16
[7] Romans 8:26

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