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Power for Living
a Dynamic Christian Life
Every day, we face
choices. What we say, where we go, what we do. As we make those choices,
how do we see life from God's perspective and live in a way that pleases
him?
1. The Holy Spirit is the power source for the Christian life.
Just as our relationship with God depends totally on what God has done
through Jesus Christ, so the power to live the Christian life also comes
totally from God. To live the Christian life as God intends, we must continually
draw upon God's power, through the Holy Spirit. But who or what is the
Holy Spirit and what does he do?
He is God.
"No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that
person alone, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit.
And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world's spirit) so we
can know the wonderful things God has freely given us" (1 Corinthians
2:11,12).
He came to dwell in
you.
"But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled
by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you (and remember
that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not
Christians at all)" (Romans 8:9).
He came to convict
the world of sin and justice.
"And when he comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of
God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment" (John 16:8).
He came to teach you
the truth.
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth"
(John 16:13).
He came to glorify
Christ.
(Jesus speaking) "He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever
he receives from me" (John 16:4).
He confirms your relationship
with God.
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So
you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead
like God's very own children, adopted into his family-calling him 'Father,
dear Father.' For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our heart and tells
us that we are God's children" (Romans 8:14-16).
He is the source of
Christ-like qualities in your life.
"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this
kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22, 23a).
n Which of these qualities would you like God to begin developing within
you?
(Jesus speaking) "Remain
in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if
it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and
I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing"
(John 15:4-5).
Jesus said we are
to rely on and stay close to him in order to see his qualities produced
in us. And he also gives us the power to tell others about him.
(Jesus speaking) "But
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will
tell people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
2. Not all Christians
experience the Holy Spirit's power.
Although the Holy Spirit lives within all Christians, not all Christians
are directed and empowered by him. The Bible tells us there are three
kinds of people-natural, spiritual and carnal-representing different responses
to God (see 1 Corinthians 2:12-3:3).
The Natural Person
The natural person has not trusted Christ and the Holy Spirit does not
dwell in him or her. Christ is not part of the person's life; he is outside
the circle. The natural person directs his or her own life.
The Spiritual Person
The spiritual person has accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and trusts
in the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life. Christ is not only in this
person's life, but also directs it.
The Carnal Person
The carnal person has also accepted Jesus as Saviour, but trusts in his
or her own efforts to live the Christian life. This person remains in
control of his or her life and acts like the natural person. Christ is
in the carnal person's life, but does not direct it.
Which of these best
represents your life?
3. You can be filled
with the Holy Spirit.
In Ephesians, chapter 5, verse 18, God commanded us:
"Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead
let the Holy Spirit fill and control you."
As we allow the Holy
Spirit to fill and control us, he will produce godly character in us and
enable us to tell others about Christ.
But how do we let
the Holy Spirit fill and control us?
First confess all
known sin.
"If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have
listened" (Psalm 66:18).
Why do you think it's
important to confess all known sin in order to be filled with the Holy
Spirit?
Second, yield every
area of your life to Christ.
"Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give into its lustful
desires. Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness,
to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since
you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do
what is right for the glory of God" (Romans 6:12,13).
Third, trust the Holy
Spirit to fill you.
This is possible only by faith-trusting God to shape your life as you
yield control to him. All you have to do is ask. God has promised to answer
your requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for"
(1 John 5:14,15).
Since it is God's
will to fill you with his Spirit, you can trust him to do so when you
ask. Here is a suggested prayer:
"Dear Father,
I know I have been directing my own life and, as a result, I have sinned
against you. I thank you for forgiving my sins through Christ's death
on the cross. I now invite Christ to take his place on the throne of my
life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. As an expression of faith, I now
thank you for taking control of my life and for filling me with the Holy
Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Does this prayer express
the desire of your heart? If so, pray it right now and be filled with
the Holy Spirit.
4. You can be continually
empowered by the Holy Spirit.
If you find you have retaken control of your life through sin, try "spiritual
breathing." You need to exhale the impure by confessing your sin,
and inhale the pure by yielding control to Jesus and asking God, in faith,
to fill you with his Spirit.
Exhaling
"But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
and to cleanse us from every wrong" (1 John 1:9). Also read Hebrews
10:1-25.
Remember, confession includes:
o Agreeing with God that you have sinned.
o Thanking God for his forgiveness.
o Asking God to change your wrong attitudes and actions and trust that
he will.
Inhaling
o Surrender control of your life to Christ.
o Trust him to direct and empower you.
Suggestions for Further Growth
Continue to spend 15 minutes alone each day with God in Bible reading
and prayer.
Summary
The Holy Spirit is the power source for living out the Christian life.
You need to continually confess your sins and trust God to control your
life, asking him to fill you with the Holy Spirit.
You can only trust
God as much as you know him. How can you get to know him better? The answer
is in the next lesson.
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