Before we gave ourselves to Christ, there was only one management option: The unholy trinity of me, myself, and I. Paul calls it the "sinful nature" (After all the middle letter of sin is "i" :-) )
It is not a management structure that can bring true and wholesome life, because it is focussed on self and not on the Author, Architect and Creator of Life. It is the only management structure we have. We might worship fashion, culture, materialism for a while but it all leads back to "what's in it for me?"
When
- we recognise that we need a Saviour to save us,
- we give ourselves to Christ,
- we confess our sin
- we choose to follow Him,
He performs a miracle in us - He _regenerates_ us by washing away our sin and pouring His Spirit into us.
The presence of His Spirit gives us a new management option. We can choose to be governed by the Spirit. God does not do a "hostile takeover" - we are not forced to accept the guidance of the Spirit, we must give over willingly.
The important truth in this verse is the clarity with which Paul reminds us that we receive the Holy Spirit when we give ourselves to Christ.
There are many who imply that the receiving of the Spirit is a separate experience and that one needs to have a "second blessing." The Scriptures make it clear that the work of the Spirit begins the minute we are born again.
If you are sure that your sins are forgiven and that you will be with God in heaven, then the Holy Spirit lives in you! The only way not to have the Spirit is to not be born again.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
