“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” – Romans 8:9-16
LIGHT FOR NOW: The new birth wouldn’t be possible without God’s spirit in a man.
In today’s study we will begin to explain the indwelling of the spirit as the new birth, that is, being born of the spirit. Recall that Jesus’ words concerning the spirit is summarized in two words:
• Residence and
• Permanence
So, we are going to explain or examine with regard to the indwelling spirit as explained by “residence” and “permanence” is the new birth. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John will lay the foundation for this explanation. John 3:3-8 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit”.
Jesus’ explanation of the new birth (being born again) was in response to a question posed by Nicodemus. He (Jesus) explains “born again” as being born by the spirit, which is only possible by the indwelling of the spirit. In essence, the indwelling of the spirit is the agency of the new birth. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Be full of the truth of God’s word.
CONFESSION: I am born of the spirit – the spirit of God abides in me forever, in Jesus name, Amen.
QUOTE: The indwelling of the spirit is the agency of the new birth.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 2
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 