47155 The Secret to the Abundant Life

What makes Christians different from the rest of humanity?

What enables Christians to experience the fullness of the abundant life Jesus promises?

The “secret” is the Holy Spirit who dwells in them.

The Holy Spirit indwells those who are in Christ because His presence in them is the sign, seal, and guarantee of their union with Christ. But not every believer is guided and empowered by Him.

And yet, it is impossible to live a life worthy of the Lord, that is, a Christian life, without relying completely on the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes it clear.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” (John 15:5)

A Christian life is a life in Christ. It is inseparable from Christ. Jesus is in us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Himself lived a life filled with the Holy Spirit.

It may surprise you that Jesus did everything recorded in the Gospels as a man filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is God. His nature is 100% divine. At the same time, Jesus is fully human. He is God-man. Yes, this is a mystery. In the person of Jesus, God and man are perfectly united.

But when He was on the earth, Jesus lived as a human without relying on His divine nature or power (read Philippians 2:5–8) but on the Holy Spirit.

It is not an overstatement to say that the Holy Spirit is the key to the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

A life in Christ is lived out in a relationship with Jesus. It’s a partnership. Even though you cannot do anything apart from Him, there is a vital part you play. You are to trust, obey, and rely on the Holy Spirit moment by moment. This is being filled with the Holy Spirit.

And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

When you are drunk, you are under the influence and control of alcohol. Being filled with the Spirit means to be under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit.

This is God’s command. So, the responsibility is yours to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

You are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith. Every time you choose to trust the Holy Spirit and believe that He is in you and that He is guiding and empowering you, you are filled with Him.

Follow these three steps in the article, “How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit“.

How to Walk in the Holy Spirit

Walking according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4) or living by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) refers to a way of life in which you are being guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit throughout the day every day.

When you walk in the Spirit, you will bear the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

Being in Christ, you will be able to live in love, joy, and peace. Your life will be characterized by patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

You are no longer a sinner but a saint, holy one. Of course, that doesn’t mean you will never sin.

But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

When being filled with the Spirit becomes a way of life, you are walking in the light.

But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

When you sin as a Christian, the blood of Christ cleanses you from all sin if you are walking in the light. Then, you confess your sin and practice spiritual breathing to be filled with the Spirit again.

When you sin as a Christian, you don’t ask God for forgiveness. God has already forgiven you all of your sins because Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty. of your sins. What you need to do is to confess your sin.

To confess means to agree with God.

By confessing your sin, you are agreeing with God about your sin. You agree with God that what you did was a sin against Him. You agree with Him that it is absolutely offensive, disgraceful, and repulsive. You agree with God that you are no longer a sinner bound by the power of your sin but a saint in Christ who desires holiness above all else. You agree with Him that you want a life that is free from your sin. You agree with Him that your deep desire is to love Him and to live a life pleasing to Him. You agree with Him that His Holy Spirit can give you strength and wisdom to overcome your sin.