Romans 8:14 - SPIRIT LED LIVING.
Romans 8:14 (NKJV) For as many as are led by
the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14 (NLT) For all who are led by the
Spirit of God are children of God.
COMMENTARY PEARL
The first key for usefulness in God's
kingdom is humility. Pride cuts us off from God (and
from other people), and deceives us into thinking
we can do God's work without God's power. When
we rely on the Holy Spirit, however, He
sanctifies us and empowers us so we can be effective
tools in God's hands.
But there is a second key, and that is
faith - faith that God is sovereign, and that He
is at work, even if we can't see it... God is
at work, even in the midst of the problems,
pessimism, and frustrations of our day. He alone is
sovereign - and that is why we can trust Him, even
when the way seems dark. [Hope for Each Day by
Billy Graham]
COMMENTARY
We build on Christ by obeying His word.
It is not he who merely enjoys righteousness,
that is righteous, but he who does righteousness.
Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of
surrendering all to God; it is doing the will of our
heavenly Father. When the children of Israel were
encamped on the borders of the Promised Land, it was
not enough for them to have a knowledge of
Canaan, or to sing the songs of Canaan. This alone
would not bring them into possession of the
vineyards and olive groves of the goodly land. They
could make it theirs in truth only by occupation,
by complying with the conditions, by exercising
living faith in God, by appropriating His promises
to themselves, while they obeyed His
instruction.
Religion consists in doing the words of
Christ; not doing to earn God's favor, but because,
all undeserving, we have received the gift of
His love. Christ places the salvation of man,
not upon profession merely, but upon faith that
is made manifest in works of righteousness.
Doing, not saying merely, is expected of the
followers of Christ. It is through action that
character is built. "As many as are led by the Spirit
of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14.
Not those whose hearts are touched by the
Spirit, not those who now and then yield to its
power, but they that are led by the Spirit, are the
sons of God.
Do you desire to become a follower of
Christ, yet know not how to begin? Are you in
darkness and know not how to find the light? Follow
the light you have. Set your heart to obey what
you do know of the word of God. His power, His
very life, dwells in His word. As you receive the
word in faith, it will give you power to obey. As
you give heed to the light you have, greater
light will come. You are building on God's word,
and your character will be builded after the
similitude of the character of Christ.
Christ, the true foundation, is a living
stone; His life is imparted to all that are built
upon Him. "Ye also, as living stones, are built
up a spiritual house." "Each several building,
fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple
in the Lord." 1 Peter 2:5, R.V.; Ephesians
2:21, R.V. The stones became one with the
foundation; for a common life dwells in all. That
building no tempest can overthrow; for--
"That which shares the life of God,
With Him surviveth all."
But every building erected on other
foundation than God's word will fall. He who, like the
Jews in Christ's day, builds on the foundation of
human ideas and opinions, of forms and ceremonies
of man's invention, or on any works that he can
do independently of the grace of Christ, is
erecting his structure of character upon the shifting
sand. The fierce tempests of temptation will sweep
away the sandy foundation and leave his house a
wreck on the shores of time. {MB 149-150}
While engaged in our daily work, we
should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These
silent petitions rise like incense before the
throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The
Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot
be overcome. No evil arts can destroy his
peace. All the promises of God's word, all the
power of divine grace, all the resources of
Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance. It
was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was
with him, a present help in every time of need...
Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is
the secret of spiritual power. No other means of
grace can be substituted, and the health of the
soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into
immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and
strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious
experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in
prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems
convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual
faculties lose their vitality, the religious
experience lacks health and vigor. It is only at the
altar of God that we can kindle our tapers with
divine fire. {GW 254}
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Romans 8:12-14 - Living for Christ Defeats
the Sinful Nature!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070208-1054.html
Galatians 5:16 - Living by the Spirit.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220422-0854.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
