Day 9 "How am I supposed to live the Christian life?"

A 30-DAY GUIDE FOR NEW BELIEVERS
by JOHN D. BECKETT


DAY 9 THE HELPER
How am I supposed to live the Christian life?

If we try to answer this question from a human perspective we will always gravitate toward a rules-orientation -- do this, don't do that -- implemented by self-will and human effort. This approach is destined to fail. It simply is not God's design.

The Apostle Peter said God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (see 2 Peter 1:3). The key to living the Christian life is to draw upon God's provision. One main way that provision comes is by the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (The Trinity, or Godhead, includes the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Three in One, One in Three.)

While the Holy Spirit was involved in God's work from the beginning of creation, He was imparted to Jesus' followers in a powerful way after our Lord's death and resurrection. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He instructed his followers to wait for the Promise of the Father, saying, "You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts 1:5).

This prompted them to recall earlier words of Jesus:

(The Father) will give you another Helper (Comforter) that He may abide with you forever (John 14:16)
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 things that I have said to you (John 14:26)
It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you (John 16:7)
When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
True to His word, the Father powerfully sent the Holy Spirit fifty days after Jesus ascended to heaven, on the day of the Jewish festival of Pentecost. This is recorded in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Here is how E. Stanley Jones, a missionary to India in the 1900s, describes the impact: "At Pentecost, timid believers were transformed into irresistible apostles."

The Holy Spirit is God's provision for you to successfully live the Christian life today. Some of His characteristics will help you know Him and discern His activity:

He works quietly, never intruding or demanding
He always points to and glorifies the Father and the Son, never drawing attention to Himself
He instructs you by speaking to your now-awakened human spirit (thoughts and impressions that are clearly beyond your normal processes)
He is always present, always able to be of help
He gently corrects, warns and adjusts (the requirement for you is to be very sensitive to detect his voice)
As you read the Bible, especially the New Testament, watch for the many and varied ways the Holy Spirit guided the activities of God's people. He wants to help us in such ways today.

Take a moment now to thank God for His wonderful provision. Open your heart, mind and spirit to the Helper, the Holy Spirit, and how He wants to be active in your life -- right now!


Key Scripture He (the Holy Spirit) will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
Key Thought I am not on my own. God has made full provision for me as I walk with Him.

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Copyright © 2006 by John D. Beckett


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