Key Thought
This phrase is such a great description of our identity — “those who belong to Christ Jesus.” This identity ensures that God stamps his mark of authenticity on our hearts while Jesus sends the empowering Comforter and Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to be with us. The Spirit’s presence brings us many blessings — like spiritual gifts, spiritual conviction, insight into God’s truth, direction for our difficult journeys, along with many other blessings. Paul, in Romans 8, emphasized another great blessing from the Holy Spirit: the gift of power. The Holy Spirit brings us power over sin, power over death, power over the struggles of our sinful nature, and power through prayer. It is no wonder “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus”: We have the presence of God himself within us, empowering us, and transforming us.
Today’s Prayer
Father God, you are holy and righteous. On my own, I do not have the character or the willpower to be what you want me to be. In fact, dear Father, I confess that I cannot live up to all that I want to be. But I can see the work of your Spirit, progressively and surely, conforming me to be more and more like Jesus. I am thrilled that I belong to Jesus, but I do ask today that you work mightily to make me into what you desire me to be as I live to honor you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.