Good Morning!
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
This little short verse is a very big subject. In summary, this verse is saying that the real, true sons of God are generally willing to be led by the Spirit of God and are expected to follow the Spirit's leading. This is in contrast to the merely religious people who dabble in religion but have never submitted themselves to God. It is especially true of those rebels against God who are determined not to have God rule over them. God leads His people to the degree that they are willing to be led and that is the default condition and practice of God's people.
However, God's people are not robots and can yank themselves away from His leading as a sheep wanders away at times or as a child may be drawn away from a parent in a department store and become lost from the parent until there arises a piercing wail above the crowd by a little child who suddenly realizes he is separated from his mother or father. It is true that all believers without exception are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. But all believers are not submissive to Him at all times and are not empowered by Him to live the Christian life or to be a witness for Him.
Matthew Henry observes: "They are led by the Spirit of God, as a scholar in his learning is led by his tutor, as a traveller in his journey is led by his guide, as a soldier in his engagements is led by his captain; not driven as beasts, but led as rational creatures, drawn with the cords of a man and the bands of love. It is the undoubted character of all true believers that they are led by the Spirit of God."
Gill comments: "Not by the spirit of the world, or of the devil, or by their own spirits: the act of leading ascribed to the Spirit is either in allusion to the leading of blind persons, or such who are in the dark; or rather to the leading of children and teaching them to go;"
Part of the mission of the Holy Spirit is to lead God's people to be and do the things God wants them to be and do. The Spirit always leads God's people in accordance with the Word of God and will never lead them contrary to the Word.
From our text for today we are reminded that the true people of God have a relationship to the Holy Spirit and are led by Him from day to day. Though it is not covered here, we must at once point out that God's people still have the old, self-centered, sinful nature and for a season may resist (Acts 7:51) the Holy Spirit as their leader and may grieve (Ephesians 4:30) Him who has been appointed to lead them.
However, the prevailing influence and power dominating the life of the believer is going to be the persistent efforts of the Spirit of God who lives in the body of the believer. The Holy Spirit will take away His peace from the heart of a disobedient believer (Col.3:15). He may bring about chastisement upon a backsliding believer (Hebrews 12:5-13). He may even take the earthly life from a stubborn believer 1John 5:16 ).
King David didn't look much like God's servant when he was having an affair with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. But he belonged to God.
Peter didn't look much like God's servant when he denied Jesus at Jesus' trial. But he belonged to God just the same.
Lot didn't look much like God's child as he hob-nobbed with the big-shot politicians at the gate of Sodom that God was about to burn to the ground. But Lot belonged to God. And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; (7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (8) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds); (2Peter 2:6-8)
Here is an outstanding verse that has to be included in this discussion: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14). The "following after" is a built-in reality in the life of every believer and the Holy Spirit leads and empowers the believer to do that very thing.
Christians can sin a sin unto sickness and can sin a sin unto death and yet they belong to God (1Corinthians 11:23-34).
McGee has this to say: "God does not drive His sheep; He leads them. When our Lord told of the safety and security of the sheep, He made it clear that they were not forced into the will of His hand and that of the Father. He said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me" (john 10:27). They are the ones who are safe and secure; they follow Him. They are led by the Spirit of God. They hear His voice because they have a new nature, and they follow Him.Ω
The Constitution of the United States
Article I
Section 2. No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. (He must be an inhabitant of that State.)
●To read the history and full text of the U.S. Constitution go here:→ http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm
This article can also be viewed at www.bibleliving.blogspot.com.
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