Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Life in the Spirit is one of peace and joy. We don’t walk alone. We get to have fellowship and community with the Holy Spirit–and we get to walk in step with Him every day of our life. And that is a big deal! The Holy Spirit is God. Not just a fluffy good feeling that comes and goes, but one of three Persons existing as ONE God, that is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The words Paul wrote to the church in Corinth still hold true for us today. Grace, love, and fellowship… these words not only give glory to the triune nature of God, but also glorify the deep ministry and relationship God has with each of us when we become a Christian.
The word “fellowship” used here comes from the Greek word koinonia,which means unity, fellowship, and communion. This type of fellowship is more than just meeting a friend for lunch every once in a while, this fellowship unites us in purpose and identity. “So why do I still mess up if I am united with God?” Perhaps you also join me in this frustration.
The Holy Spirit takes up residence in our heart at the moment we give our life to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But because we still have our human sin nature, we often get in the way of God’s voice. That is why spending time in prayer and reading the Bible are so important in our daily activity. Daily, we need to empty ourselves of our words, our thoughts, and our actions, and join step with the Holy Spirit of God. Daily, we need to deal with our sin and seek forgiveness. When we do, we will see our attitudes and actions begin to change. We will begin to experience peace and joy and other evidence of the Holy Spirit, and our words, thoughts, and actions will begin to resemble Christ.
Galatians 5:22-25 says: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
We long to have more patience, love better, and have things like self-control. But on our own this is a road that just leads to failure and repeated sin patterns. But through Christ, our bondage to self is broken and we are set free! Our heart now has the freedom and healthy soil to daily grow the characteristics of Christ.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I never want to take for granted that you dwell in me and desire that I walk right alongside you in my life. When I am tempted to choose attitudes and actions that disobey your commands, give me YOUR strength daily and remind me of the peace and joy that comes instead when I choose to fellowship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Mark 9:23
All things are possible for one who believes.