SCRIPTURE: Galatians (NIV) 3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
OBSERVATION: Just why is it that God gives us the promised Holy Spirit? Is it because we have done such an excellent job in keeping the law? Is it because He owes us for working so hard at keeping the law? Or does God give us the life of the Spirit because we believe His word? Obviously, the answer, un-given, is clear. It is because we believe! Read the next verse: 6 Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
The “new creation” life of a believer starts by faith; AND it continues by faith!
APPLICATION: The same is true for me. I could not save myself. Salvation came when I confessed my sins and accepted what Jesus did as the complete payment for my sins. Just as I relied on Him for my salvation, I must continue to rely on Him to live His life through me. Jesus is not living Leon’s life. Leon is living Jesus’ life. But the truth is that Leon cannot live Jesus’ life. The only one who can live Jesus’ life is Jesus. So, Jesus must come and live His own life in Leon! And that is exactly what He does by His Holy Spirit!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins. I receive your forgiveness. And I receive the Holy Spirit as you promised. With Jesus as my Lord and the Holy Spirit empowering me, may my life bring you honor and joy. Amen.
Pastor Leon
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