CHRIST: THE LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT - PART 3

MONDAY 17 APRIL 2023

In every way, we must develop the habit of walking in step with the Spirit and living the life of the Spirit on earth. This is because we belong to Christ, which means that we are born of the Spirit.

Reference: 1st Corinthians 15:45 New Living Translation (NLT) 'The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person." But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.'

Christ - a life-giving Spirit, suggests that the spiritual life flows from Him, or by His Spirit. In Him we received the gift of righteousness, which is of God, and this righteousness has nothing to do with us. Its not our own works or righteousness; it's the righteousness that emanates from life-giving Spirit. Therefore, the true and right way of righteousness can only be obtained from the life and salvation in Christ. This means that for anyone to experience the life of Christ, who is the life-giving Spirit, they must be born again. To that effect, Jesus said, 'Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, "You must be born again"' (John 3:6 NLT).

If you are already in Christ, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit is mainly the way to express the life of Christ in you. It conditions you to renew your mind and function by the direction of thoughts and perspectives that come from the Word of God, and more so, the Holy Spirit Himself guides you through life's experiences to grow in love and build your trust in God. If you follow close upon the Holy Spirit, you will never walk in the flesh. So don't neglect His fellowship, your devotional commitment to constant study and use of the Scriptures, and the habit of prayer. These are the primary means by which we live the life of the Spirit, and the spiritual exercises by which we grow. By deliberate aim to conform of our lives to the Word and guidance of the Spirit, day by day, we find that we are increasingly growing in the knowledge of Christ and His will. That way, Christ manifests through us as a life-giving Spirit.

It doesn't matter where you are or who you are in your world, "Christ in you" will make you the manifestation of divine life, by causing you to walk in the principles of the Word, which in turn, will establish the depths of your godly character. And your life will become a constant light to the dark world. However, this reality can only become possible in your life if you continually yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As for those who are yet to make Christ their Saviour and Lord, don't waste another minute. Do it now by declaring the prayer of salvation below, and you shall be saved. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 3:5; 1 Peter 3:18; John 6:63; Romans 8:2.

Guided Prayer: I acknowledge today that God demonstrated His unconditional love for me in this: While living without Christ, He sent Him ahead of time to die for me. Therefore I renounce the nature of sin and I accept Jesus as my Saviour. I believe and confess with all my heart that Jesus is the Son of the true living God, who died for me and was raised from the dead on the third day by God. I affirm that Jesus is risen and He's alive forever. I accept Him into my heart and I declare His Lordship over my life forever. I'm now born again as a new creation. I have eternal life: my present-moment reality. Thank you Lord Jesus for saving me and taking full charge of my life, as my Lord. GLORY TO GOD!