When we all come to Faith in Christ we are called Children of God. Bible says Galatians 3:26 'So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
But many of us remain as “all children of God” (Galatians 3:26) we never become “the children of God” (Romans 8:14), We never graduate from “All” to “the”, What does this mean? Assume your father has 100’s of children and when he sees you he regards as his children you are no different than the other children. But there are only few that he is close to him and likes them more than others. those are “the children” as his beloved children or chosen children. E.g., Jacob (called as Israel in Genesis) had many children but he loved Joseph more than any others - Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. '
There is something special about “The children” - In old testament, when you read about Abraham, Jacob and others, they had many children, but God’s blessing was only with the one who was chosen by God. E.g., Abraham has Ishmael and Issac. Blessing of Abraham was only on Issac to do God’s will to inherit Abraham’s inheritance and promise...
Most of us pray as , we are child of God. What assurance do we have that we are “the Child of God” Romans 8:14 'For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Clear definition - those who are led by the Spirit of God only qualify themselves as the Child of God ~ Chosen children or beloved children of God
Paul Goes one step further to define a Christian Romans 8:9 'You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. '
Just having faith is not enough, its very important to know what this Spirit of God is. The Spirit of God is nothing but the Holy Spirit.
God the Father in heaven
God the Son is seated at right hand of the Father
God the Holy Spirit is in earth
Holy Spirit watches his children and guides his children, like how a parent would care for his favourite child on how he would watch where the child goes, buy him all that he likes, be always in parents eyes, to ensure he does play around your vicinity etc. Same way the Holy Spirit does many things for “The child of God”
HolySpirit does the following for “The Child of God” ~ to the beloved child
Advocate
The Holy Spirit is called “Paraclete” or “Advocate” means helper John 14:26 'But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. '
When you go to the courthouse to deal with the matters of Law, you don’t act by your self, you ask the advocate to help you. In same manner God’s laws are very high, the advocate - Holy Spirit helps us to deal with God’s laws.
We have a lot of laws to follow and live when we live in Christ, we don’t know many or may not follow all of them to live a righteous life, but Holy Spirit helps us in that. Romans 8:13 'For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. '
Do you know when God the Father and God the Son who is in heaven, sends God the Holy Spirit alone to earth ? it was for a reason to help us live a righteous life like that of God the son, he knows its impossible for us to come near to him, so he acts as a “Paraclete” so that we also will be crafted like Christ day by day.
Our flesh (self desire) is weak and sinful , but if the flesh obeyed what the Holy Spirit directs us to do, we are going to lead the righteous life, that’s why its written
Romans 8:4'in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. '
Romans 8:10 'But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. '
The awesomeness of God is - God does not give us second hand things, he gives the finest of finest to us. The Holy Spirit is the same that raised Jesus from Death. It’s the same that’s available to us as well. We fail to recognise this “Super Power house” that’s in us and yield to the Holy Spirit. We blame others for our problems of life and also say we are weak humans I cannot live Holy. Its only for Saints to lead that life and many of us live a losers life. Romans 8:11 'And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. '
Children of God
If you have the experience of Holy Spirit , your actions will prove , then you are a child of God. This is a highest and invaluable blessings of people of New Covenant. Old Covenant people did not have this experience, when ever (Abraham / Mosses / David) went anywhere , God sent a prophet or Angel to guide them. You can see thru their life lessons in Old testament, Only after the resurrection of Christ we have this unique blessing given to us. We are a lucky generation to inherit this.
As “The Child of God” he gives you power to call God the father, God the son. As we are adopted sons and daughters of Christ, that’s why we call “Abba, father in our prayers”, the beauty here is when we say that Abba father in our prayer, The Holy Spirit will testify to God that the one calling is his beloved.. What an awesome thing we have in Christ, no other God can do this kind of experience. This is the high mark of Christianity.
Romans 8:15(b)-16 ‘… the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. '
Galatians 4:6-7 'Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “ Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. '
The Holy Spirit helps us live a life of boldness and not as slaves to sin. There is freedom in Christ. In slavery there is no freedom, its bondage to something (old sins e.g., drugs, alcohol or any other sins of life). Once you are touched by the Holy Spirit and the sins are cleansed there is no longer bondage, there is a life of freedom in Christ, we experience the Victory of Christ in Cross in our life. E.g., You see drug addicts who are free from all that addiction of old life when no addiction therapy can cure them.. Romans 8:15 'The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; “
Children share inheritance from Parents, similarly our inheritance as “the Child of God” is to share all that Christ has, nothing is withheld to us. Most often sharing of Christ is talked about earthy blessing that’s not what Paul intended here. Romans 8:17 'Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. ' We share the eternal blessing (few listed here..)
We share the blessing of faithfulness of Jesus - Thru Christ we have the faith.
We share the blessings to walk a righteous life in the sin filled earth - same way how Jesus lived in earth
We share the blessings to drive demons in his name.
We share the blessings of Jesus to heal the sick.
We share the blessing of Jesus to do what his plans are for us in earth ~ will of God.
We share the spirit of tongues to speak exclusively with our father. (1 Corinth 14:4, 14-17)
We share the spirit of prophesy to help prophesying
We share the spirit to suffer (slander / shame / abuses etc..) for the cause of Jesus, but the enduring spirit in Jesus helps us be patient in all these suffering.
We share the spirt to be humble like how Jesus was humble in the world.
We share the same Peace / joy of Christ. We can have all the blessings of the beatitudes of Christ. (Matt 5:3-12)
We share the eternal life to live for ever with Christ - Rev 22
When God the Holy Spirit is for us, there is no one who can come against us in this world Romans 8:31 'What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? '
Helps our Mind
Satan’s primary target is our mind and deviate us from our Christian living and live a life to the world 2 Corinthians 11:3 'But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. '
The mind plays a very critical role in allowing us to yield to Sin or to the Holy Spirit. That’s why it’s important to be rooted to the word of God to have our minds renewed to have the mind of God. Romans 12:2 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. '
If our mind has to be guided by the Spirit of God, we have to renew our mind with the truth of God ~ Word of God
Colossians 3:9-10 'Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. '
Ephesians 4:22-23 'You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; '
When we renew our minds with the Word of Truth and yield to the Holy Spirit, he helps us get peace and a life that we lead with God Romans 8:6 'The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. '
Holy Sprit will not take over our mind unless we yield our mind and ask God to take and guide us. Its a important principle to understand..
Helps in Prayer
We have a variety of people who live in Christ, from young to old, some who are highly temperamental to mature. When we pray to God our prayer may not be the way what God expects us to pray. The Holy Spirit acts as a intercessor for our prayer and helps pray on behalf of us to God the Father.
The words that we repeatedly profuse in prayer and put to the right way to God, the desires to pray, the burdens of heart to pray for, the heaviness in heart for lost souls, mourning spirit to pray for departed are all from the Holy Spirit who helps us pray Romans 8:26 'In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. '
We are being condemned for our Sins, Satan accuses before God for the Sins we commit (He instigates / entices for the sin, once we commit the sin, he comes to God and accuses us), but Jesus who is the Son of God who is seated in Right hand intercedes for us and sends us the grace to overcome them when we pray Romans 8:34 'Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. '
The Holy Spirit also searches our heart and mind to ask God the Father / God the Son to do his will for us, the perfect will that’s planned for us, which is unique for each of us as we live in the earth. What a awesome God we serve.. Romans 8:27 'And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. '
Early Apostle church understood this and never missed a time of prayer Acts 2:42 'They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. '
Helps in Worship
Our sole purpose is to worship God. We are given the spirit to Worship him thru the likeness in God
Genesis 5:1 'This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. '
John 4:24 'God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” '
He helps us with Singing Psalms, spiritual songs, The Holy Spirit elates our souls to sing from heart to bring various emotions of Cry / Joy / Dancing etc.. as we sing and make music to Lord Ephesians 5:18-20 'Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. '
Hope for the future
Every day we are filled with struggles / temptations / challenges and many more difficulties in the world. Those who are in Christ don’t give up, they still strive to live a life for Christ like a marathon race to run to even better than what we did the prior days. This is because we have a assurance of faith that there is a eternal life thats placed for us in heaven and its everlasting.
Philippians 3:14 'I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. '
Philippians 3:20-21 'But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.'
The Holy Spirit helps us with this kind of knowledge and gives us strength to run, we are running with the hope of faith that we will have in heaven, the hope of our salvation is from Jesus we place on him and run this through.. The Holy Spirit strengthens us when we read about how the heaven is and what we should expect in heaven etc.. when we read the prophecies in Daniel / Revelation etc.. Romans 8:24 'For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? '
Analyse to see if you having only Faith and living only by Faith as a Sunday Christian. All is well when we go to Chruch and it fizzes out when you come out of the Chruch and not having the experience of being lead by Holy Spirit
If you are not being led by Holy Spirit you are not a beloved of God. Awake to self examine your life how clean its before God and ask God with a true heart to make his Spirit lead you to become the beloved.
コメント