There’s the old joke about the new lumberjack who turned out to be an incredible workhorse. His foreman was amazed at the number of trees he could cut down with just a saw. So he gave him a chainsaw. Instead of doubling his output, the lumberjack’s number of felled trees was cut in half. His foreman assumed something was wrong with the chainsaw, so he cranked it up. The lumberjack responded, “What’s that noise?”
When people come to Christ, they receive God’s Holy Spirit, who empowers them to live holy lives. But instead of soaring in this new relationship, many Christians get bogged down trying to live Christlike lives in their own power. The greatest power possible is inside us in the Person of God’s Holy Spirit, but we may fail to depend on the Spirit and rely instead on our own strength.
When it comes to living the Christian life, do you feel you are:
Soaring right along? OR Hacking away with a dull chainsaw?
In our study this week from Romans 8:5-27, we learn that Paul discovered the answer to his spiritual struggles - the Holy Spirit who transformed his mind-set, empowered him to live a holy life, reminded him of and confirmed his adoption by God, and helped him in his prayers. The lesson can also help us learn to live holy lives by depending on God's Spirit rather than striving in own own power to try to please God and live for Him.
Monday, October 27, 2008
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