Led by the Spirit: Assurance and Holiness
Summary
In Romans 8:14, Paul provides a profound assurance of salvation by stating that those led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. This assurance is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that believers can experience. The Spirit's leading is a testament to our status as God's children, and it manifests in various ways in our lives. The Spirit acts upon our minds, hearts, and wills, guiding us not by force but by a gentle leading that aligns with God's will. This leading is not about following our own desires but about being in step with the Spirit, ensuring we neither rush ahead nor lag behind.
The Spirit's yearning for us is described as a kind of jealous envy, a deep desire for our holiness and ultimate glorification. This yearning is akin to a parent's concern for their child's well-being or a lover's protective care. It is a powerful force that works within us to draw us closer to God and away from the flesh's influence. The Spirit's presence in us is a guarantee of our transformation and growth in holiness.
Practically, being led by the Spirit means having a spiritual outlook on life, desiring to live for God's glory, and seeking a deeper knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. It involves a growing awareness of sin and a sincere desire for righteousness and holiness. The Spirit's work in us is evident through our increasing sensitivity to sin, our longing for holiness, and our active efforts to mortify the deeds of the body. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—becomes increasingly evident in our lives as we are led by the Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
- Assurance of Salvation: Our assurance of salvation is grounded in being led by the Spirit, which confirms our status as God's children. This assurance is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that transforms our lives. [00:34]
- The Spirit's Yearning: The Holy Spirit yearns for our holiness and ultimate glorification with a kind of jealous envy, similar to a parent's or lover's protective care. This deep desire works within us to draw us closer to God and away from the flesh's influence. [07:53]
- Spiritual Outlook: Being led by the Spirit results in a spiritual outlook on life, where we prioritize eternal things over temporal ones. This shift in perspective is a hallmark of true Christian living. [13:25]
- Desire for Holiness: A key sign of being led by the Spirit is a sincere desire for righteousness and holiness, accompanied by an active effort to mortify the deeds of the body. This involves making no provision for the flesh and avoiding influences that tarnish our spiritual walk. [33:19]
- Manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit: As we are led by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly evident in our lives, reflecting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are the natural outworking of the Spirit's presence in us. [39:11]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Romans 8:14
- [00:34] - Assurance of Salvation
- [01:08] - Knowing We Are Sons of God
- [01:44] - Led by the Spirit
- [02:04] - The Spirit's Leading
- [03:16] - The Spirit's Influence
- [04:09] - Walking in the Spirit
- [05:18] - The Spirit's Strong Desire
- [06:24] - Translation Insights
- [07:53] - The Spirit's Yearning
- [09:33] - Conflict with the Flesh
- [11:18] - The Spirit's Guidance
- [12:14] - Practical Tests of Being Led
- [13:25] - Spiritual Outlook
- [20:03] - Living for God's Glory
- [21:45] - Desire for Knowledge of God
- [25:31] - Awareness of Sin
- [29:22] - Reaction to Sin
- [32:11] - Sensitivity to Temptation
- [33:19] - Longing for Holiness
- [34:29] - Mortifying the Deeds of the Body
- [38:52] - Manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit
- [45:16] - Testing Ourselves
- [47:45] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:14
- Galatians 5:16-18
- James 4:5
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:14, what is the significance of being led by the Spirit of God? How does this relate to our identity as children of God? [00:11]
2. In the sermon, how is the Spirit's leading described in terms of its impact on our minds, hearts, and wills? [01:44]
3. What does the sermon say about the Spirit's yearning for us, and how is this yearning compared to human relationships? [09:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the practical evidence of being led by the Spirit in terms of our outlook on life? [13:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance of salvation, as discussed in the sermon, transform a believer's daily life and decisions? [00:34]
2. The sermon mentions the Spirit's "jealous envy" for our holiness. How can this concept be understood in the context of God's love and care for us? [07:53]
3. What does it mean to have a "spiritual outlook" on life, and how does this differ from a worldly perspective? [13:25]
4. How does the sermon suggest believers can identify the presence of the Spirit's work in their lives through their sensitivity to sin and desire for holiness? [33:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did the assurance of being led by the Spirit influence that decision, if at all? How might it influence future decisions? [00:34]
2. The sermon describes the Spirit's yearning for our holiness as similar to a parent's concern for their child. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of this divine care in your daily life? [09:01]
3. Consider your current outlook on life. In what ways can you shift your focus from temporal concerns to eternal priorities? What practical steps can you take this week to make this shift? [13:25]
4. Identify an area in your life where you feel the Spirit is prompting you to grow in holiness. What specific actions can you take to respond to this prompting? [33:19]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [39:11]
6. How can you become more sensitive to the Spirit's leading in your life, especially in recognizing and avoiding sin? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine to enhance this sensitivity? [32:11]
7. Reflect on your prayer life. How can you incorporate a greater desire for knowing God and Jesus Christ into your prayers? What specific prayer practice can you start this week to deepen your relationship with God? [21:45]
Devotional
Day 1: Assurance in the Spirit's Leading
The assurance of salvation is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality for those led by the Spirit of God. This assurance confirms our status as God's children, transforming our lives as we align with the Spirit's gentle guidance. The Spirit acts upon our minds, hearts, and wills, leading us in a way that aligns with God's will, ensuring we neither rush ahead nor lag behind. This assurance is a profound comfort, reminding us that our salvation is secure as we walk in step with the Spirit. [00:34]
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you recognize the Spirit's leading in your life today, and how does this assurance of being God's child impact your daily decisions?
Day 2: The Spirit's Jealous Yearning
The Holy Spirit yearns for our holiness and ultimate glorification with a deep, jealous desire, akin to a parent's or lover's protective care. This yearning is a powerful force within us, drawing us closer to God and away from the flesh's influence. The Spirit's presence guarantees our transformation and growth in holiness, working tirelessly to align our desires with God's will. This divine jealousy is not possessive but protective, ensuring our spiritual well-being and ultimate glorification. [07:53]
"Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us'?" (James 4:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you respond to the Spirit's jealous yearning for your holiness today, and what steps can you take to align your desires with God's will?
Day 3: Embracing a Spiritual Outlook
Being led by the Spirit results in a spiritual outlook on life, where eternal things are prioritized over temporal ones. This shift in perspective is a hallmark of true Christian living, as believers seek to live for God's glory and gain a deeper knowledge of Him. A spiritual outlook involves a growing awareness of sin and a sincere desire for righteousness and holiness. As we embrace this perspective, we find ourselves increasingly sensitive to sin and motivated to live in a way that honors God. [13:25]
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can shift your focus from temporal concerns to eternal priorities today?
Day 4: Longing for Holiness
A key sign of being led by the Spirit is a sincere desire for righteousness and holiness, accompanied by an active effort to mortify the deeds of the body. This involves making no provision for the flesh and avoiding influences that tarnish our spiritual walk. As we long for holiness, we become more aware of sin and more committed to living a life that reflects God's character. This longing is not passive but active, requiring intentional choices and actions that align with God's will. [33:19]
"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to mortify the deeds of the body and pursue holiness in your life?
Day 5: Manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit
As we are led by the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit becomes increasingly evident in our lives, reflecting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are the natural outworking of the Spirit's presence in us, transforming our character and relationships. Manifesting the fruit of the Spirit is not about striving in our own strength but allowing the Spirit to work through us, producing a life that glorifies God and blesses others. [39:11]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life right now, and how can you invite the Spirit to cultivate this quality in you today?
Quotes
Now we must remember as we come back to consider this statement that its main function and purpose is to supply us with an additional reason or ground for our Assurance of Salvation. That's the big theme in the whole of this chapter. The Apostle wants us to realize that if we are justified by faith well then our Salvation is assured. [00:00:27]
The Holy Spirit whom God has caused to dwell in us who are Christians, it's only referring to Christians not to anybody else. We, of course, who've gone through this epistle to the Romans as far as we've gone know that perfectly well. If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. [00:07:54]
The Holy Spirit who thus dwells in us is yearning for us. Yearning for what? Well, yearning for our Holiness, yearning that we may be worthy of our High Calling, yearning that we may be truly children of God and rejoicing in that fact. The spirit we are told yearns for us. [00:08:31]
If we are led by the spirit of God, well then we have got an essentially spiritual Outlook upon life. That is the first and the big thing. The first thing that differentiates the Christian from the non-Christian is this spiritual Outlook. The other men have what Paul has already called the carnal mind. [00:13:52]
The man who is led by the spirit of God by definition is a man who desires to live to God's glory. I arrive at that in this way: God made men for himself and as I'm never tired of quoting that answer to the first question in the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly, the chief end of men is to glorify God. [00:19:34]
A man who is led by the spirit of God always has a desire within him for a greater knowledge of God and a greater knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now there's no need to argue about this. It can be proved in this way: our Lord when promising the giving of the spirit said he shall glorify me. [00:21:39]
The spirit does is to make us seek for the Lord that I may know him and God that I may come into an intimacy of knowledge. This is life eternal that they may know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent. Have you got a desire for knowing God? [00:23:55]
Whoever is being led by the spirit has an increasing awareness of sin within. There is no question about that. The spirit is the spirit of light. It is the spirit of Truth. He is the Holy Spirit and as he leads us and guides us and directs us it is always in this direction. [00:27:14]
The man who's led by the spirit is one therefore who becomes increasingly sensitive to the very approach of sin and evil and to temptation. All these things are progressive, of course, and the more we are led by the spirit the more sensitive we become to the very approach or the very suggestion of sin and Evil. [00:32:11]
Anyone who is led by the spirit of God is aware in himself or herself of desires and breathings after righteousness and Holiness. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. Do you long to be holy? Do you long to be righteous? [00:33:19]
The man who mortifies the Deeds of the body is a man who makes no provision. Indeed he goes beyond that. He deliberately discourages certain within himself, goes out of his way to do so. We have got through the spirit will lead us to do it to mortify the Deeds of the body. [00:36:29]
If we are being led by the spirit we will be manifesting more and more the fruit of the spirit. What is the fruit of the spirit? Listen, here is the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, Longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, Faith, meekness, Temperance. There are nine tests for us to apply to ourselves. [00:38:52]
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