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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Where the Holy Spirit Lives


Wouldn't it be nice if we knew the address of the Holy Spirit so we could drop by and visit?  I might want to ask about some decision I am having to make, or get some information about having a greater strength to overcome a particular sin.  How would you handle such a visit and are there questions you would ask concerning your life? 

Romans 8 is an entire chapter about life in the Spirit. You are encouraged to read the entire chapter to learn more, but I have selected several verses that should stimulate your thinking. 

Romans 8:9 - "You are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you." NLT

We know the battle that continues with our sinful nature. Paul knew it, too, and obviously is someone we can identify with because we share his struggles.  We profess our faith, commit ourselves to serving Jesus, and want to live the kind of life he would have us live. Like Paul, when we want to do right things, we end up doing wrong things.  Read a little more about the Spirit.

Romans 8:10-11 - "And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you." NLT

Those are encouraging words we should take to heart. We are given life by the Spirit because we have been made right with God. And even more, the promise is given that the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us and gives life to our mortal bodies 
That's where God longs to live, inside you. So when we search for an address to seek God's Spirit, it is YOUR address and mine when we live according to the Spirit.  But there is even more.

Romans 8:12-14 - "Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,  you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.  For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature,  you will live.   For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." NLT

The sinful nature brings death, but the Spirit brings life. It's time we put the old sinful nature to death, along with its wicked acts and evil thinking and impure ways. The Spirit living in us gives us the power to overcome the sinful nature and live.  Then there is the promise, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."  Praise him for that evidence in your life today. 

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