How does a believer respond to the Holy Spirit?
The yielded believers possess the perfect and indestructible life of Jesus Christ. Therefore, virtuous living while still in sinful flesh is not their choice but an obligation. The perfect life of Jesus Christ is not an inheritance but an unconditional gift from God. Therefore, yielded believers practice a virtuous living out of gratitude for an undeserved gift. In their daily living, the yielded believers represent their heavenly Father. They are his children in Jesus Christ. “The Spirit himself bears witness to our new human spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then also heirs: heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we also may be glorified with him.” Romans 8:16 – 17 (My translation). Here the Apostle Paul refers to one inheritance, not two, as some think. Jesus is the representative of the new humankind. Membership in the new humankind is not by biological birth. It is by a deliberate, intelligent decision and choice. Thus, Jesus refers to his followers as his brothers.
We have the gift of eternal life. Dominion, where we reside, is our inheritance. The Sovereign Creator is the only owner of all creation. Our divine authority over nature does not make us its owners. We are the administrators of God’s property, per his divine decree.
Genesis 1:26. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ if we suffer with him. While on earth, Jesus was despised and rejected. So are those who are in Jesus Christ. However, the present suffering does not compare to the glory we will inherit. Nevertheless, the yielded believers, together with nature, groan inwardly for the redemption of their bodies.
“For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22 – 23, NET. Our bodies will be redeemed at the return of Jesus Christ.
Adam was fully aware of the consequences of his decision in the Garden of Eden. However, he also had full knowledge concerning the redemption and salvation of humankind. Accordingly, he subjected the entire nature and humankind to decay. He did so in the hope that the redemption of humankind would also apply to nature. Romans 8:20 – 21. The yielded believers rest their hope on the guarantee they have in Jesus Christ.
Continued in the next blog.
