“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
Have you ever thought about the people you are sitting next to when you enter a church service? Who are the people present? In a healthy church, there should be three separate groups present throughout each service.
First, there are people who attend the service but do not personally know Jesus Christ. They could be religious or not. They may or may not have a Bible. They may or may not have a history of going to church frequently. Although the members of this group have various levels of church experience, they all share one thing in common: they have never experienced what the Bible refers to as being “born again.” They may be aware of God, but they do not have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Second, although some churchgoers profess to know the Lord, their lifestyles aren't all that different from those of non-believers. They are not happy with their lives as Christians. They are aware that the way they are living falls well short of the principles of Christianity. They have eternal life, but it is not abundant life. They rarely, if ever, read their Bible. They never introduce others to Christ. They have no desire to serve and help others. At best, their giving is irregular. They lack the pleasure, peace, and spiritual power they ought to have as God's children.
Thirdly, there is a group of Christians who attend church, know the Lord, yet consciously seek for and consistently receive the filling of the Holy Spirit. Despite their imperfections, they are growing, full of joy, expressing their faith, giving with commitment, and serving with a willing heart. This have gained an understanding of the key to living a life filled with the Spirit.
The truth is that without the Holy Spirit, one would never be saved and know Jesus. After salvation, you need the Holy Spirit to successfully witness. Without the Holy Spirit, worship cannot be authentic. Most certainly, without the Holy Spirit, there is no way you can live the abundant life that Christ died to give you.
Maybe you need to admit that you are falling short of what the Christian life should be. If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit already resides within you. Now you must choose to submit to His rule. This is what it means to live a life filled with the Spirit.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am grateful that despite my daily shortcomings, You still see me as blameless because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. I see that in order to enjoy the abundant life You came to give me, I need You to help me conduct my life in a way that demonstrates I am filled with the Spirit. Amen.
