Unlimited: Those Who Belong to Christ
Dec 29, 2022 645
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ (Romans 8:9b).
The Bible teaches that the Son and the Holy Spirit are not the same person, but that the resurrected Lord Jesus is present with us through the Holy Spirit. For this reason, Paul can call the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of Christ” as he does in this verse.
All those who belong to Christ receive his Spirit. On what basis do we belong to Christ? Paul writes to the church in Ephesus:
But now you belong to Christ Jesus. At one time you were far away from God. Now you have been brought close to Him. Christ did this for you when He gave His blood on the cross. 14 We have peace because of Christ… (Eph. 2:13–14).
All those who belong to Christ receive his Spirit.
There is a direct result of belonging to Christ, as Paul wrote to the Galatians:
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir (Gal 4:6–7.)
This is how others will know that we belong to Christ, because his spirit of love will be manifested in our lives, in our dealings with others (John 13:35.)
Spiritual Application
Do you have the Spirit of Christ? You don’t receive the Spirit of Christ by striving for him, but by belonging. Is your life truly focused on belonging, or on performing?
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