Letting the Spirit Lead

Romans 8:11-15

A great many groups believe that salvation, and receiving the holy spirit are completely separate events. They point to Acts 2 when the Holy spirit came on the apostles as proof, ignoring John’s statement in John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” Before Jesus ascended intop heaven, the Holy Spirit would not come."

He has and Acts 10:44-47 describes the Holy Spirit descending on new believers even while Peter was still speaking, and before they had been baptized. “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”

Clearly they received the Holy spirit immediately upon believing. It is also clear that they were baptized as a result of their salvation, not so they could be. Romans 8:9 states, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” If the Holy Spirit isn’t in the person, he is not a Christian, despite his claims, or any prayers or religious activity. The Holy Spirit comes in at salvation, and he brings power as Acts 1:8 tells us. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:” He will have an effect.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Romans 8:11)

If the Holy Spirit is in you, he will not only affect your mind and attitudes, he will bring the physical(mortal) body back to life as well. We know that he will resurrect us from the dead, but his influence will enable us to bring the flesh under control as well. I Peter 4:1-2 makes it clear we no longer have to live under the influence of sin. “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” Galatians 5:24 reminds us, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:12-13)

We owe our life to Christ, not to the flesh. “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” as John 6:63 tells us. The natural instincts offer nothing of lasting value. As Romans 6:11-12 tells us, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

Galatians 5:25 puts it very simply. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Our life is a result of trusting God to save us. Let’s live the same way, trusting him to keep us from sin, rather than trying to live by the rules. “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” (Galatians 3:11-12)

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:14-15)

A horse tends to be very fearful about new things. Leading a horse is largely a matter of developing trust. If the trust is there, though he is nervous about going into new places, he will follow because he trusts the owner of handler. However, if he doesn’t trust them, he may refuse to go, fighting and possibly injuring himself. God is gentle with us, giving us every reason for trusting him. Until we act on that trust and let him lead, we will continue to have conflict.