Introduction
In the last devotional of this week on transformation, we’re going to wrap up this focus by finishing our exploration into establishing a resurrection culture. May God continue this work of ongoing transformation, as we invite him to resurrect us in meaningful, fresh ways today.
Scripture
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” ROMANS 6:4
Worship
Abide in Me | Andrew Marcus
Devotional
We devoted time yesterday to searching Scripture for understanding on life in the Spirit. We looked at Romans 6:4 which says, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” And in Romans 8 we learned that God has offered us a life free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2), crowned us with Christ as his co-heir (Romans 8:16-17) and made it so nothing could separate us from the depths of his love (Romans 8:37-39).
We’ve been given an incredible life in the Spirit through Christ. But so often we continue to live as if his death and resurrection didn’t change our everyday occurrences. So often we live according to the flesh rather than our new life in the Spirit. So, building on the foundation of God’s word, let’s take time today to learn some practical ways we can better live the abundant life afforded to us through the resurrection of our Savior.
How can we better live our lives in the Spirit? How can we experience the “newness of life” Paul talks about in Romans 6? It all starts with growing in our friendship with the Spirit. The Bible tells us that the Spirit prays for us when we don’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26), that he teaches us (John 14:26), helps us (John 14:16), and fills us (Ephesians 5:18). But the Holy Spirit never forces himself on us. He only fills and speaks when he is asked. Such is the depth of God’s love for us that he waits patiently for us to open ourselves to him, beckoning us with his loving-kindness. So, we must make time every day to be filled with the Spirit anew and learn what it is to receive his help, teaching, presence, and prayer. It’s only when we grow in our relationship with him in private that we will learn how to be led and used by him in public. Just as you couldn’t pick out an unfamiliar voice from a crowd, you will have a hard time feeling the nudges of the Holy Spirit in this rushed and busy world without experiencing him in the secret place. Growing in friendship with the Spirit is vital and foundational to living with “newness of life.”
Next, we have to live in obedience to God’s word. God has blessed us with an incredibly practical book meant to guide us into an abundant, Spirit-filled life. To walk in obedience to the word is to live a life experiencing all that God has in store for you. So, spend time in the word of God opening your heart to the Spirit. Allow him to be your teacher. And commit yourself to live in obedience to what he shows you. In obedience to God’s word you will discover how perfectly applicable and powerful Scripture is to your life.
Lastly, set aside time to simply receive the love of God. We live our lives in a society full of people and possessions that promise to satisfy us. We’re surrounded by a world that isn’t living out of personal experience with God and isn’t a reflection of his truth. If we’re going to live in the world but not be of it, as Romans 12:2 commands us, we must spend time experiencing the reality of God’s love. We must allow his presence to be the lens through which we see the world around us. Victory over the enemy comes from encountering the reality of God’s unfathomable grace and affection. Following the leadership of the Spirit moment to moment stems from encountering the reality of his nearness in the secret place. You have to spend time engaging in spiritual relationship to live a spiritual life.
Spend time today growing in your friendship with the Spirit, reading God’s word, and receiving the love of your heavenly Father as you enter into guided prayer.
Prayer
1. Spend time receiving a fresh filling of the Spirit. Simply open your heart and wait for him. Ask him to make the reality of his presence known to you. Ask him to lead you into deeper friendship with him. The Spirit loves to talk to us, help us, and guide us because he loves us. You will never have a better friend than the Holy Spirit.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13
2. Spend time engaging with God’s word. Where does your heart need more life? Where do you feel like the world has taken over? Look up Scripture on whatever subject you need help with, and stand on God’s word! Renew your mind and live in obedience today.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. Receive the love that God has for you today. Similar to receiving a filling of the Holy Spirit, just spend time resting in the presence of God. Ask him to reveal his love to you. Ask him how he feels about you.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9
Go
I pray that you would be transformed as you align your life with the resurrection culture. May you see yourself as one saved, redeemed, empowered, and delivered. May you live in pursuit of the abundant life available to you. May the chains of this world fall off in light of God’s powerful grace. And may your life be a reflection of the reality of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
Extended Reading: John 15 or watch The Bible Project’s video on John 13-21.