Romans 8:9-11
Scripture (Romans 8:9-11 ESV): “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
Devotion:
A year ago, we started a major renovation at our house. The builders came and completely gutted all the important parts of the house and the kitchen, bathroom and laundry all went. We spent winter making dinner in our shed with a microwave and a BBQ. During those cold months, I often wished that the building would just get done so we could move into this new house of ours, which was designed around our needs with everything we thought we would need.
This renovation is a bit like what happens when the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. Our “house” (our life) might look the same on the outside, but the inside has been transformed, filled with new potential and power for living.
Notice what Paul says here: having the Spirit of God dwelling in us is the defining mark of belonging to Christ. It’s not about the rituals we perform, the knowledge we possess, or the moral standards we try to maintain. Those things may well be important, but what happens to every believer when they come to Jesus is that God’s spirit take up residence in our lives. That’s the thing that sets you apart. And this indwelling Spirit is not a passive presence, He is not a bad house guest. Rather He is the active life giving Spirit that works with the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead!
Sure, our physical bodies are subject to sin and its consequences, including physical death, but we have a Spirit who brings about life in us and produces righteousness in us quite apart from the “body of death” we still live in. And the thing is, that this isn’t just a future hope where we will one day be given new life. This is a present reality. The Spirit’s presence in our lives means we are already participating in the life of the age to come, even as we navigate the challenges of this present age.
But that means that sometimes the Holy Spirit needs to break down the walls in your heart, completely gut some sections of your house, and rebuild something that is far more fit for purpose. It sometimes will feel like you are still in the phase of having to cook dinner in a shed with a microwave. But the work is worth it, because he is making your house ready for holy living.
Prayer:
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Lord God, thank You for the incredible gift of Your Spirit dwelling in me. Help me to live in the awareness of Your powerful presence within, guiding, comforting, and empowering me for righteous living. Remind me that I am not defined by the limitations of my flesh but by Your Spirit of life. Give me a daily sense of the hope and future You have promised, that even now, Your Spirit is at work, preparing me for the resurrection to come. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge for the Day:
Today, take time to acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life. In prayer, invite Him to fill you afresh, to influence your thoughts, actions, and decisions throughout the day. Choose one specific way to demonstrate your reliance on the Spirit’s power rather than your own—maybe it’s handling a difficult situation with patience, responding to someone with kindness instead of frustration, or stepping out in faith to do something you’ve been hesitant about. Let this act of faith be a reminder of the life-giving power of the Spirit within you.