Complete submission to the Holy Spirit is both a process and an event, consummated in an instant. By staying plugged into the Holy Spirit and allowing Him full access to our lives, we have freedom. The Holy Spirit has set us free from the law of sin and death. Here are some of the freedoms offered by the Holy Spirit:
- Living free from guilt and condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:1) The Spirit-filled personality glows in the heat of discord by affirming the grace of God in forgiveness and practicing the presence of Jesus in attitudes that heal rather than hurt.
- Living free from punishment. Our sinfulness deserves condemnation. Punishment comes from breaking laws. However, Paul says, "...For what the law was powerless to do in..the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son...in order that the righteous requirements of the law might fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit" (Rom 8:2-4) The Holy Spirit does not have a list of rules. We are set free from punishment. We receive an inheritance, where we spend eternity with God. We will not be punished for our past.
- Living free from turmoil. The Holy Spirit provides peace. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom 8:6). There is an unmistakable beauty of the Christian personality that demonstrates the vitality of patience, gentleness, and self-control. These characteristics of a loving personality only surface in the person who is at peace with himself, with God, and with others.
- Living free from spiritual exhaustion. The Holy Spirit gives mental and emotional vitality. "And if the Spirit...is living in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit..." (Rom 8:11). A Spirit-filled Christian is free from the negative drag of hostility, self-centeredness, and self-pity. The more carnal baggage you insist on carrying, the more slowly you move and the faster you wear out. A clean mind and a pure heart are God's channels for strength.
- Living free from bondage. We are free from bondage and fear. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have the Spirit of adoption, whereby we can cry Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that are the children of God" (Rom 8:15-16).
One who is alienated, lonely, and lacks a feeling of self-worth almost always shows it in his personality. He is fearful and under bondage because he feels unloved. This is opposite the picture of the Christian who loves and is loved, comfortable in the presence of God and in the presence of his own earthly peers.
Freedom... This is life in the Spirit.
This post was adapted from the book, Who Is The Holy Spirit? by Dr. Leslie Parrott.
- Living free from guilt and condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:1) The Spirit-filled personality glows in the heat of discord by affirming the grace of God in forgiveness and practicing the presence of Jesus in attitudes that heal rather than hurt.
- Living free from punishment. Our sinfulness deserves condemnation. Punishment comes from breaking laws. However, Paul says, "...For what the law was powerless to do in..the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son...in order that the righteous requirements of the law might fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit" (Rom 8:2-4) The Holy Spirit does not have a list of rules. We are set free from punishment. We receive an inheritance, where we spend eternity with God. We will not be punished for our past.
- Living free from turmoil. The Holy Spirit provides peace. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom 8:6). There is an unmistakable beauty of the Christian personality that demonstrates the vitality of patience, gentleness, and self-control. These characteristics of a loving personality only surface in the person who is at peace with himself, with God, and with others.
- Living free from spiritual exhaustion. The Holy Spirit gives mental and emotional vitality. "And if the Spirit...is living in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit..." (Rom 8:11). A Spirit-filled Christian is free from the negative drag of hostility, self-centeredness, and self-pity. The more carnal baggage you insist on carrying, the more slowly you move and the faster you wear out. A clean mind and a pure heart are God's channels for strength.
- Living free from bondage. We are free from bondage and fear. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have the Spirit of adoption, whereby we can cry Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that are the children of God" (Rom 8:15-16).
One who is alienated, lonely, and lacks a feeling of self-worth almost always shows it in his personality. He is fearful and under bondage because he feels unloved. This is opposite the picture of the Christian who loves and is loved, comfortable in the presence of God and in the presence of his own earthly peers.
Freedom... This is life in the Spirit.
This post was adapted from the book, Who Is The Holy Spirit? by Dr. Leslie Parrott.
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