This is my final devotion before we come together on Sunday to celebrate Pentecost. I absolutely love that our last message of the week comes from Paul. Remember, Paul was not present with the other disciples in the upper room, in Jerusalem, during Pentecost (Acts 2). Yet Paul’s life became one of the greatest testimonies of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul was temporarily blinded so that he could spiritually see, and from that moment on, Paul never looked back as he fully surrendered his live to Jesus and allowed the Holy Spirit to stir within his heart. Paul allowed his life to be guided by the Holy Spirit and as a result his life became an example for many to witness. Friends, like Paul, our prayer should be that our lives are transformed so much that our hearts honor and glorify Jesus and our love impacts the world for His Kingdom.
In today’s passage, Paul reminds believers that we are “children of God”. I know that we say those words often, but when we say them do we think about the sheer magnitude of the meaning behind those words? Through our salvation in Christ Jesus, we are no longer slaves to fear, shame, or any sin of this world because we know Jesus has taken all of that from us, and He has ignited the Holy Spirit within us. It is the Holy Spirit Who affirms when our hearts are connected to Jesus and offers divine guidance for our lives when we are fully surrendered to Him, and all because we are children of God.
In yesterday’s devotion from Acts 2:1-11, we recalled what transpired in the upper room when the Holy Spirit first came to the Church on Pentecost in Jerusalem which was 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus. Today, Paul reminds us that as believers, we are children of God who are led by the same Holy Spirit that transformed the disciples nearly 2,000 years ago. That means that the same Holy Spirit Who settled on those disciples, is the same Holy Spirit Who blinded Paul, and is the SAME Holy Spirit Who abides within us. Think about that for a moment, right now the Holy Spirit is joining with your spirit to affirm that you are one of God’s precious children. It means that as this world tosses and turns in darkness, the Spirit draws you and me closer to the Light of Truth, which is Jesus, Who is the heart of our Father because we are set apar as God’s children. So, we are His kids, His heirs, and as a result we get to share in God’s glory with Jesus, as He prepares us to journey through every moment that this life brings, including suffering. Remember, “Abba, Father” is with us at all times, He never leaves us, and He will never forsake us. His Spirit is within us, and we get to celebrate that Truth together on Sunday.
Romans 8:14-17 (NLT)
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Prayer: Abba Father, we are so grateful for the gift of the Holy Spirit and that through our salvation in Christ Jesus, You call us Your beloved children. Holy Spirit, we need You every single moment of every single day, as we never want to walk this dark world or suffering alone. So, please continue to burn brightly within each one of us and be our Guide. We ask that You continue to lead us away from fear, shame, and sin, and draw us closer to Your Truth, love, and holiness. Each one of us wants to surrender in faith like the disciples and Paul, and so we need You to fill our hearts with Your gratitude, joy, and peace. We are looking forward to coming together on Sunday to celebrate the great gift that You, Holy Spirit, live within us. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.