A Spirit-led Life (Audio)

The Scriptures give us insight into how we might have a meaningful and fulfilling life. In Romans 7 Paul teaches that if we try to live the Christian life in human effort we will fail miserably—for we will experience condemnation, hopelessness, entrapment, burn out and exhaustion—then in Romans 8 he tells us how to move beyond that to a growing mature walk with and by Holy Spirit.

Our actions and behaviours are determined by our mind-set—as a person thinks in their mind so they are—what we choose to dwell on in our minds determines how we behave. It’s a question of our preoccupations, our ambitions, and our interests, which engross us—what we set our minds on will ultimately determine how we spend our time, money and energy. And it’s also what we set our minds on that determines how we live the Christian life—a mind under the control of Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of Holy Spirit—a mind set on the flesh will produce fruit of “Fleshly” behaviour.

The problem for every believer has always been how to be in the world and not buy into its philosophy of life—far too often many believers try to compromise with the world, to be socially accepted—hence they look at appearance, performance, and status to find fulfilment and acceptance.

Every Christian lives in a physical body like all other people, but they are not obliged to it—the world system doesn’t characterize them—they are to belong to another realm—another dimension—they are to be “in the Spirit” of God. And Paul speaks also of one being “in Christ,” and Christ being in them—followers of Jesus are to live very close to God and be in His constant presence—one is not to be an occasional visitor.

And when Holy Spirit has taken up full residence within the believer, to be a permanent dweller, this then becomes their strength—in fact, it becomes their life—a life living out the fruit of Holy Spirit. This is where the believer finds their identity, worth, security, significance, and sufficiency—it comes from Jesus’ dwelling within us by His Spirit—the world system will leave you high and dry every time—only Jesus and Holy Spirit satisfies—and that’s why every Christian is into recycling!!

Pastor Wayne Kerber

Bible Readings: Romans 8: 1-11 (NLT)