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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “led by the Spirit”. To be led by the Spirit means to be filled, empowered and directed by the Holy Spirit. Paul highlights the importance of the Spirit in the life of a believer in Romans 8:12-17. It is important to note that before Paul’s letter to the Romans, Jesus had already acknowledged the temptations believers may encounter which may render them disobedient to God and spiritually weak or vulnerable, therefore He promised His disciples that “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, ¹⁷ even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you… “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:16-17, 25-26) Paul, having experienced the empowerment of the Holy Spirit now explains the importance of walking in the Spirit to the believers in Roman.

The importance of being led by the Spirit is that we shall experience true and eternal life. “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13). Dear friend, both those who live in the flesh and those who are led by Spirit shall experience the first death as mere mortals but those who walk in the flesh shall experience the second death which is the eternal death or hell. God tells us in the book of Revelations that “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my child. ⁸ But as for (those who live according to the flesh) the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death (Revelation 21:7-8). In other words, those who are led by the Spirit shall not experience the second death “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14). Beloved in the Lord, are you being led by the Spirit or you are being led by your fleshly desires? To be led by the Spirit, Jesus teaches us that we must experience regeneration. “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:5-6) . Many of us have been baptised already but our biggest challenge is that we are so clinched to the world and its fleshly desires to the extent that we are no longer being led by the Spirit. Jesus is tell us today that “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). If we truly repent and are saved and are being led by the Spirit, we shall no longer live in fear of judgement because of sin. We shall live with a good conscience and a clean heart with the assurance of eternal life. We are assured by Paul that “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:15-17) Truly, we experience total liberation, peace and joy as children of God when we are being led by the Spirit. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, we acknowledge our weakness as mere mortals therefore we totally depend on Your guidance and leadership. Lead us onto the path of righteousness and enable us to please and glorify God all the days of our lives. Amen.