The Liberty of Being Spirit Led

Romans 8: 12 - 17, Therefore, brethren, we are debtors -- not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. NKJV

The Apostle Paul teaches us that when we are saved, we are to walk by faith and not by sight. Consequently, as children of God, we must not be moved by what we see, feel, or experience in the world; instead, we must be led by the voice of the Holy Spirit. 

In today's scriptures, Paul tells that we have confirmation of our new birth experience in Christ through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. You will notice that God, our heavenly Father left nothing to chance when it came to our soul's salvation. Our new life in Christ begins and is walked out through the power and wisdom of the Spirit of God. 

Do any of us as God's children know what tomorrow holds for us? Can we determine in our own hearts the best path to take when we are faced with decisions that can have a direct and adverse impact to our walk of faith? The answer, of course, is NO. Therefore, it is essential for believers to rely on and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit in their everyday lives. 

As a believer, do you seek the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead you through your day? If not, then you are relying on your own wisdom, past experiences, and emotions to direct your decision-making process. This is exactly the reason why the children of Israel walked in proverbial "circles" in the wilderness. They refused to listen when the Holy Spirit tried to give them direction. However, what does this mean to the New Testament believer who hardens their heart to God's voice? It can cause us to live a life that repeats our past mistakes over and again. 

We know this because Paul exhorts us in today's passages that we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear. When there is an absence of faith in our daily walk, we will give a place to fear. Being frightened keeps us bound to the familiar; consequently, we remain unchanged. People who practice a "wilderness method" toward life end up being cyclical and will never break free from their past.

In Romans 8, God is giving believers the revelation knowledge and the invitation to be led by the Spirit; consequently, we are enabled to break free from the bondages of the flesh nature. Only when we decide and commit in our hearts to listen to the Holy Spirit and therefore, walk by faith does the Christian walk become exciting and liberating. If this sounds inviting to you, and you're tired of living a mundane life, then do what Peter did when Jesus told him to step out on the water. Become a water walker today by listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit. 

Walking by Faith,
Pastor Asa Dockery