Life in the Spirit

KEY VERSE: “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” —Romans 8:2

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:1-8, 31-39

WHAT is life in the Spirit? It is to be of that blessed little flock to whom it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. It is to be numbered among those who have heard the Word, who understand it, and also bring forth fruit. It is to know and experience the love of God, who is rich in mercy, and who has quickened us together with Christ, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Life in the Spirit is living very close to the Heavenly Father. It is taking our hopes and our sorrows to the Lord in prayer. It is fixing one’s heart on those things which are true, and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely; for those who live in the Spirit mind not the things of the flesh, but the things of the Spirit. These have the transcendent joy of knowing they are God’s children, for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Those who live in the Spirit have no concern for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. They know that all things work together for good, because they love God, and are the called ones according to his purpose. They live in perfect peace, because their minds are fixed on him, and their faith in him is complete.

Life in the Spirit is walking day by day—humbly, faithfully, and trustingly—in the steps of Jesus. It is striving daily to be made more and more into the likeness of the Master, by keeping one’s eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. It is patiently awaiting the consummation of our hope—the ineffable joy of being in the presence of the Heavenly Father and his glorified Son, and the risen saints, and of resurrecting and restoring to perfect life here on earth whosoever will of a grateful world of mankind.

But who are these even now living in the Spirit, and how do they attain to this sublime condition, this lofty state? They are those who, in good and honest hearts, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. They are the called of God, and all down through the long years of the Gospel Age our Lord Jesus has been diligently seeking them out. At the very beginning of the age, he spoke lovingly and tenderly to each one of these in his Sermon on the Mount, where he outlined their characteristics, and described their sure reward.

They are the poor in spirit, and theirs is the kingdom of heaven. They are those who mourn, but they shall be comforted. They are the meek of this world, but they shall inherit the earth. They are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, and they shall be filled. They are the merciful, and they shall obtain mercy. They are the pure in heart, and they shall see God. They are the peacemakers of this world, and they shall be called the children of God.

For nigh onto two thousand years now, the message of God’s great plan of salvation through Christ on behalf of a sinful world and the call for those who would follow in Jesus’ steps has sounded forth. One here and one there, having faith in the merit of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, has been moved to present himself to the Heavenly Father, to share in Jesus’ sufferings that they might also share in his glory. These Jehovah God justifies because of their faith. They are accepted in the Beloved, and begotten of the Holy Spirit to a glorious hope.

Henceforth these walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. They are God’s elect. And Paul says, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”—Rom. 8:34

The call is still going out. The door is still open. The glorious prize of the high calling is still waiting—waiting for those of good and honest hearts to present themselves to the Lord in full consecration.

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