In the past weeks, we’ve been talking about staying, persisting, enduring, and not giving up. A crucial aspect of our faith is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but we should ask ourselves: why can't He always manifest? Why is He sometimes so evident, while in other times He seems absent?
God, in His Word, says that He seeks worshipers in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). What is He trying to tell us?
To be honest, I must admit that many times my emotions have been above my spirit, and when we move based on our emotions, unfortunately, we overshadow the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
A few weeks ago, I made a decision based on my emotions, which were at a low point. Although I didn’t mean to cause harm, I ended up hurting people I love and caused a temporary division in my family. Today, thanks to God, I acknowledge my mistake, asked for forgiveness, and everything has returned to normal.
As children of God, we are called to live in the Spirit and not just with the Spirit. This means allowing God’s Holy Spirit to manifest through us, to freely develop and bear His fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.
It’s like a fish in water, surrounded by it both inside and out. This is our duty. However, when emotions control us, we manifest the desires of the flesh, and the flesh produces death, while the Spirit gives us life.
I invite you not to allow the flesh to govern you but to remain in the Spirit, allowing Him to govern your life so that you can give life.
Christ Jesus tells us that He came to give us life, and life in abundance. But He also warned us that it was necessary for Him to leave so that the Father could send us His Holy Spirit, the source of power, guidance, direction, and instruction.
So, beloved, a Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives is just a religion.
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:30-32 NIV
Written by Wilmer López, based on the sermon of November 23, 2024.
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