The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.
Too often, we're told that transformation comes from learning something, knowing someone, or doing something. I am often tempted to say that my teaching can transform people. But this isn't the message of the Bible.
Surprisingly, the Bible tells us that the most religious people are the most wicked. I've learned the hard way. I trusted people who demonstrated exemplary religious commitment, but when crisis hit, they cared more for their reputations, power, and financial well-being than doing what was right.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he told his disciples not to do anything until the Spirit came (Acts 1:4-8). However, once they were "all filled with the Spirit", revival broke out (Acts 2:1-4, 41-47).
Consider Romans 8:1-11. Paul teaches a very clear contrast: life in the flesh vs. life in the Spirit. If we're intellectually armed with a case for the resurrection, but we lack the Spirit, what good is it? By contrast, if we don't have any arguments, but we belong to a community where everyone is filled with the Spirit, what happens?
**Let's also consider the power of the Holy Spirit.** How much power do you need to bring a dead man back to life? It's incomprehensible. Now, how much power do you need to be the source of eternal life? Rather than calculating this, the right response is worship. **The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you!**
In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus said, "The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
The Spirit's work is a mystery. There are some constants, including freedom from guilt and shame, an experience of peace, a joy in knowing God, a desire to love God and our neighbor, and a thirst for righteousness. Yet there's no prescribing what the Spirit will do in your life.
**God doesn't expect any of us to do it all.** This is God's work, not ours. And he is accomplishing his work through his people, all around the world.
"Those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit." The resurrection means that your life has divine purpose. But it's not like a trainer at the gym, yelling "try harder." No, it's God with you, empowering you to experience every part of life as an ambassador of the risen Jesus.
**Are you filled with the Spirit? As God's Spirit works in your spirit, we are transformed for God's mission.**
Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.
On a piece of paper, write out 'life in the flesh' and 'life in the Spirit.' Fill each column with your observations from Romans 8:1-11.
Have you tried to live the Christian life on your own? What is this like?
What would it look like for you to set your mind on the things of the Spirit?
Spend time in prayer asking God to fill you with his Spirit. Surrender any area of your life where you've been trying to live in your own strength.
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