Love in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. The apostle Paul had been contrasting trying to obtain righteousness without the work of the Spirit of Christ and obtaining righteousness by faith in the power of the Spirit of life in Christ. In vs. 5, he continued the contrast by describing what the mind of each one focuses on. The person who lives according to his or her natural abilities in the flesh sets the mind on the flesh, meaning they live life focusing on what their bodies desire in the natural world. In short, they love themselves. In contrast, the person who lives according to the Holy Spirit sets the mind on the things of the Spirit, meaning they live life focusing on what the Spirit desires. Everyday we can praise God for the grace in which we stand and live! We who have been justified by faith in Christ (5:1-2) have the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (8:2) dwelling in our mortal bodies. We have been set free from slavery to the law of sin and death in the flesh by our union with Jesus in His death and resurrection. This frees us to live to love with Jesus, or another way of putting it, to walk by the Holy Spirit. Our minds are set on the things of the Spirit, which is the life of Christ. We learn that the Spirit’s work is to teach us the things of Christ. John 14:25-26 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 “But just as it is written, ‘THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.” As we set our minds on what the Holy Spirit loves, we discover what God has prepared for us whom He loves. Through the Spirit, God pours out His love in our hearts (Rom. 5:5) so we can love Him and pour out His love to others (John 13:35). I hope today, you’ll pause a moment and think about what God has prepared for you. Listen to the Holy Spirit as He brings Scriptures to mind that reveal the tremendous eternal benefits of being chosen by God to receive the righteous in Christ. Give Him thanks. Worship Him in Spirit and truth. Then be on the alert for those He puts in your path today to love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com