The world tells us that we lose too much if we surrender the control of our lives to God.  Far from it!  Jesus says that he came so that we “may have life and have it abundantly”! (John 10:10).  Indeed, those who surrender their lives to God and the leading of His Spirit have these things to look forward to: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).  We have everything to gain by submitting ourselves to God and the leading of His Spirit!

Step Three: Walk by Faith in the Power of the Holy Spirit

The Bible makes it clear that everyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior has the Holy Spirit.  Writing to Christians in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul said, “…you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).  As a result, every Christian has access to the power of the Holy Spirit.  This means that we have power to live lives characterized by all of the Holy Spirit’s fruit mentioned above, things such as love, joy and peace (see Galatians 5:22-23).

So what is required of us?  The third step is to believe that God has indeed given us His Holy Spirit and that we therefore have the Spirit’s power to enable us to live godly lives.  On the one hand this will mean that we will look to God and His strength to be more loving, more joyful, and more peaceful.  On the other hand it will mean that we have confidence that God, by His Spirit, can actually help us to become this way!!

Practical Steps

1. Confess any known sin to God; where necessary, confess and repent before others you have sinned against.

2. Let God know that you want your life to be lived completely for Him.

3. Believe that God can strengthen you by His Spirit and give you the power you need to bear the Holy Spirit’s fruit.  Choose one Christian friend and ask him or her to pray for you in specific areas where you know you need more of the Holy Spirit’s fruit.

© 2003 Christian Family Life

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