Luke 6:38
July 18, 2024
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 18 JULY
July 18, 2024
THE 18th OF JULY
WE ARE PART OF GOD’S FAMILY IF THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN US
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Romans 8:9
When we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord, we become born again through the Holy Spirit. Being united with Jesus means He remains in us, our sins are forgiven as we repent, and we are guided by the Holy Spirit, accepted and approved by God.
Paul describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ because the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One, the triune God. With the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we have His constant presence, we are spiritually minded, and we truly belong to Christ. Jesus said in John 10:28-29 that we are simultaneously in His hand and the Father’s hand, as they are one, and no one can take us from them. John 15 teaches us that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, capable of bearing fruit only when connected to the vine.
Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept Him as our Lord. Our faith relationship is genuine when we depend on the Lord, who lives in us. We must fully rely on our Lord and do nothing apart from Him. If we think we can achieve anything without Jesus, we are not fully committed to Him, and we should change that.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Thank You so much, dear Lord, for sending the Holy Spirit to touch my heart. It is wonderful to belong to You and know that the Holy Spirit is always within me. His help is only a breath away; all I need to do is call His name, and He is there for me. Please help me, Lord, to never quench the Holy Spirit, but always listen to His still, small voice and obey His instructions. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
