Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Holy Spirit Who Renews Everything
Romans 8:12-17
Vs.15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The passage for this devotional is under the title “Life in the Spirit” in the Bible (ESV). The theme verse [Romans 8:15] above contains the essence of the renewal the Holy Spirit makes. It starts at a personal level. This renewal is through the restoration of our relationship with God, with the help of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. When the Spirit comes and indwells in a person, he/she is renewed to become a child of God instead of being a slave to sin. This relationship grows to become so intimate that we can call God, “Daddy.” 

Why is this renewal needed? In Genesis chapters 1 and 2 we see that God created man and woman in His image and placed them in the Garden of Eden. God allowed them to eat the fruit from any tree in the Garden except the one in the middle of it – that was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But soon they disobeyed God by eating the fruit from the forbidden tree [Genesis 3]. Thus, they became slaves to sin, and God expelled them from the Garden. This marred God's image in humans. As a result, every child since then is born with the inclination to sin (or as a slave to sin) and with broken relationship with God. 

The way to renew the image of God in us marred in the Garden is by the finished work of Jesus. The Holy Spirit enables us to restore the true image of God that was in humans prior to their disobedience. The renewal leads us to eternal life instead of death; to become children of God instead of slaves; and to be heirs of heavenly inheritance along with Christ. Everything else is renewed through those renewed to the likeness of God. Also, the Spirit renews a coward to be bold for the Lord like Apostle Peter. When we submit ourselves to the direction of the Holy Spirit we will be renewed. The Holy Spirit's work in us is facilitated when we “Fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, and Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” [Philippians 4:8]. Also, it is essential to practice them. The time used for the word of God and God-centered prayer daily play a key role in it. May we be renewed daily by the Spirit. 
PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit; fill us with Your power; renew everything inside-out so that we may be co-heirs with Christ of heavenly glory; that we may suffer gracefully if we need to; and that we may utter “Abba, Father” our “Daddy.” Amen
 
Thought for the day
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [2 Corinthians 5:15 – NLT] 

Dr. Thomas Philip,
Orlando MTC, Florida

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