SEARCHLIGHT
Is it possible for any Christian to live a supernatural life? Or was the supernatural life just lived by New Testament believers?
SCRIPTURE
So, I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galatians 5:16 NIV…but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18…since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 6:25
SPOTLIGHT
Many people experienced a dramatic life change when they became born-again and made Jesus Christ both Savior and Lord. They unconditionally surrendered. Some stand back and marvel at how their angry, greedy personality has become unselfish and serving. All they can do is thank Jesus Christ for turning them around. In addition, you will often hear someone, who was greatly used by God, say “It wasn’t me. It was God. I can’t explain it. I was simply the messenger. God did it.” In both examples, the person gave glory to God for having learned about SUPERNATURALLY LIVING EVERY DAY.
What does it mean to supernaturally live every day of your life? How do you get Holy Spirit power and direction every day of your life? Jesus Christ promised the Holy Spirit would help any believer who would truly love and obey Him. John 14: 15-17a state “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth…” The word “Counselor” literally means “one called alongside to help” and can also mean Strengthener, Comforter, Helper, Adviser, Advocate, Intercessor, Ally, and Friend.” [Life in the Spirit Study Bible]
What do you have to do to get the Holy Spirit to help you supernaturally live every day of your life? One way of experiencing the help and direction of the Holy Spirit is learned in Galatians 5. Don’t forget this is the chapter in which Paul invites the believers to be characterized by the Fruit of the Spirit.[Galatians 5:22,23] Three keys are used to unlock the door to SUPERNATURALLY LIVING EVERY DAY. Three keys are necessary to have the Fruit of the Spirit. As seen in the Scripture texts above, Paul tells the believers to live by the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit.
Imagine these three phrases as a 3-layer cake. The base of the cake is “live by the Spirit.” This means you are to live a life that is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Your old life was based on your self-centered nature, but your new source of life is in God, the Holy Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 states “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” Just like setting your cruise control in your car as you are driving on the highway, you desire the Holy Spirit to govern you. Now you seek the daily empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
The second layer of the cake is “led by the Spirit.” This means you are to be guided by the Holy Spirit in everyday living. John 16:13 states “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” As you follow His leading, you will be taught and instructed in Godly living. Romans 8:14 states “…those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” You will become more Christ-like as 2 Corinthians 3:18 states “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” In order for you to be led by the Holy Spirit, you are going to have to follow Him. Daily you will have to submit to His leading. This is an act of the will where you are deciding to be continually directed by Him. You are submitting to His thoughts, desires, and purposes for your life.
The top layer of the cake is “keep in step with the Spirit.” This means you are in agreement with the step-by-step Holy Spirit direction. You are in rhythm, walking together. Once when my wife and I were taking a walk, I heard her voice asking if we were to be walking together. Because I was looking around and thinking about something else, I was 5 steps in front of her. I was not walking side by side. To keep in step with the Holy Spirit, you will have to stop ignoring, forgetting, resisting, and pulling away from Him. You will have to strive to walk in harmony. You do not want to be ahead, behind, or off to one side. Strive to do what you know the Holy Spirit wants you to do. Long for your Godly beliefs to be seen in your behavior. To keep in step will mean that you work at this.
How would you like to have love, joy, and peace be your everyday experience? How excited would you get if you became known as a person who was known for patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? SUPERNATURALLY LIVING EVERY DAY will require you to seek to be filled with Holy Spirit power, submit to His leading and instruction and strive to not resist or ignore His daily direction.
SOMETHING TO DO
Find a quiet place to do the following. Take some time to seek to be filled or refilled with the Holy Spirit. Read Ephesians 5:15-20. Next, tell Him you submit to His guidance and teaching. Then commit yourself to strive to obey the Holy Spirit's direction.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Holy Spirit, it is my desire to supernaturally live every day in Your power and strength and not mine. I need You to fill me. I submit to doing what You want rather than what I want. I will strive to stay in step with Your leading and direction. Show me Your ways. I long for my beliefs to be seen in my behavior. AMEN!