The Spirit—life giving, life training

Is your trust solely in Christ?  Have you accepted His forgiveness for the guilty sentence which you bear? Yes, dear friend we are all guilty of missing the mark, God’s high standard of holiness.  The penalty for missing that mark is eternal separation from God.  Our efforts of charity, benevolence, and goodwill can’t buy us out of that situation. 

But there is who can and did.  If we acknowledge our sin and accept Christ’s life given for us, His righteousness is credited, imputed to us. Do you agree with God’s assessment and your need for reconciliation with Him?  Do you accept what Christ did on your behalf to make that reconciliation possible?  Settle the matter right now and trust Him.  Trust what Christ did and His righteousness now credited to you.  

And now more good news.  According to the Bible, when we initially trust Christ, God’s Spirit then seals you permanently “in Christ”  and then continues to train, conform, and disciple you to be like Him.  Here are some truths to take to heart.  These are life transforming.

1. The Spirit is giving life to your mortal body. Romans 8:1
2. The Spirit is God’s down payment, security deposit, guarantee of ownership  2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30
3. The Spirit desires to fill you on an ongoing basis. Ephesians 5:18….
4. to equip you for particular ministries
5. to fulfill certain tasks, Luke 1:15-17;  Acts 9:17, 22:12-15; 26:16-23
6. to fill out what ought become the normal Christian life  Acts 6:5, 13; Acts 11:24; 13:52

“But how…,’ might you ask, ‘how does the Spirit of God work in training us discipling us?’  Consider these truths:

1. He permanently indwells you for assurance and security. Ephesians 4:30
2. He provisionally and providentially fills whoever is progressively growing in submission to Him Ephesians.  5:18
3. He illumines you to see and understand and apply the Scriptures.  John 16:13-16; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
4. He assuredly guides and prompts you through spiritual discernment and wisdom to apply what the Bible says in given situations.  Ephesians 1:17, 6:17
5. He also empowers you to accomplish that to which He guides you.  2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 15:13, Acts 1:8

This, my friend, is the work of God’s Spirit.  He is life giving and life training.