The Spirit leads, and we follow.

Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. This verse is very encouraging and enlightening since it states clearly who are the sons of God. It is as needful today as it was in Paul’s day. Not everyone who says they are a believer in God or Jesus is a son or daughter of God. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that 63% of adults polled considered themselves Christians. What do you think God sees if the only ones that are Christians are those who are born again by His Spirit and are led by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live to Him? The Spirit leads, and we follow. We don’t follow so that we can be His children. We follow because we are His children. Do you think it also true that those who live to love with Jesus are the sons and daughters of God? Consider these verses from 1 John. 1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” 1 John 4:7-9 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” In John’s gospel, he recorded these words of Jesus. John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Most of us know that the fruit of the Spirit it love as indicated by Paul in Gal. 5:22. In the Live to Love prayer found in my book, Live to Love: Experience Freedom and Joy in Relationships, and on the website, livetolovewithjesus.com, I ask the Father to anoint and fill me with the Holy Spirit, the presence and power of Christ, so that I can love and trust Him and love the people He puts in my path today for His glory. I ask for the Spirit’s help because of the powerful promise that He has been given to me for just that purpose—to be my helper, power source, and sanctifier. God gets the glory as we live to God by the Holy Spirit’s leadership, filling, and empowering. This is available today to us who are the sons and daughters of God. He leads, we follow, because we are His children. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com