Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: The Seal for Eternal Life
Digging for Truth: Friends, when you and I first spiritually heard the Truth, meaning the moment you and I opened our spiritual eyes and decided to put our trust in Jesus, we not only turned our hearts (and lives) back over to Him, as our Creator, we allowed Him to save us, by faith, for all eternity. At that very moment, you and I were forgiven of our sins, and we were “sealed”, meaning permanently gifted and filled with the Holy Spirit, Whom God promised His people long ago. Through our salvation in Christ Jesus, God has guaranteed us our inheritance of eternal life.
Grace for the Heart: As Christ’s followers, you and I must remember that Jesus knows our hearts. Not only because He dwells within us, through His Holy Spirit, but because He is our guarantee, Jesus is the reason we have a gracious inheritance of eternal life. He is the Word that became human and made His home among us; and unlike us, He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. We must aim to live a life like His of unfailing love, faithfulness, and exalting His Name in all that we do because all glory and honor are due to the Father’s one and only Son (John 1:14).
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Challenge: Friends, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to live how God calls us to live, according to His plan for our lives, not how we want to live. May we be reminded today that we have a whole new life in Christ Jesus, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our desires, thoughts, and actions to align with the Father’s will for our lives. Let’s be willing vessels to grow more and more into the image of Jesus because we allow the Holy Spirit within us to navigate and change our lives.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for drawing us to You. Thank you for forgiving the sins of our past. We lay down our current sins and ask that You keep us away from wanting to repeat them. Help us, Holy Spirit, to stay away from sinning in the future. Lord, thank You for sealing us with Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, help guide our souls (minds, wills, and emotions) and our bodies to live the life that God planned for us long ago. May we be living vessels for Your glory, Holy Trinity, now and not waiting for eternal life, but living as Your eternal Kingdom people now, Lord Jesus. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.