4018 life, spiritual
Life embraces more than physical existence; it includes humanity’s relationship with God. Human beings come to life spiritually only through faith in the redeeming work of God in Jesus Christ. This spiritual life is a foretaste of the life which believers will finally enjoy to the full in the new heaven and earth. Life in the Spirit means keeping in step with the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and always being open to his gifts and empowerment.
The nature of spiritual life
It is new life Ac 5:20 See also Ac 11:18; 2Pe 1:3; 1Jn 3:14
It is true life 1Ti 6:19
It is eternal life Ro 5:21 See also Da 12:2; Mt 19:29; Jn 6:27; 1Jn 5:11,20
It is abundant life Ps 16:11; Jer 17:8 See also Ps 1:3; Jn 10:10
The origins and nature of spiritual life
Spiritual life is the work of the Holy Spirit Jn 3:6,8 See also Eze 36:26; Jn 3:3,5-7; Ro 8:11; Tit 3:5-7
Spiritual life unites believers to Jesus Christ Eph 2:4-5 See also Ro 6:3-5; Ro 8:10; 1Co 12:13; Col 2:13; 1Jn 5:12
Spiritual life makes believers the children of God Jn 1:12-13 See also Dt 30:20; Mt 6:9; Ro 8:15; Jas 1:18; 1Jn 4:7; 1Jn 5:1
Spiritual life brings people to know God Jn 17:3 See also Mt 11:27
Spiritual life brings about faith Jn 3:15; Jn 20:31 See also Jn 3:16,36; Jn 5:24; Jn 6:40; Jn 11:25
Keeping in step with the Spirit
A new way of life is made possible Gal 5:25 See also Ro 8:5-6,9-16; Gal 5:16-18,22-24
Bondage to the written law is ended Ro 2:29 See also Ro 7:6; Ro 8:2; 2Co 3:6; Gal 5:17-18
Obedience to God is made possible Ro 8:4 See also Eze 36:27; Ro 8:13; Gal 5:16; 1Th 4:7-8
Deepening unity is encouraged Eph 4:3 See also Col 2:13; Php 2:1-4
Strength and encouragement are received Ac 9:31
Gifts for those living in the Spirit
Gifts are given for building up the church 1Co 12:4-11 See also Ro 12:6-8; 1Co 12:27-30
Visions are given Ac 2:17; Joel 2:28; Rev 1:10,12-13; Rev 4:2; Rev 17:3; Rev 21:10
Miracles are worked Mt 12:28 See also Ac 10:38; Ro 15:19; Gal 3:5
Ministry is enhanced 2Co 3:6 See also 2Co 3:7-9
Those living in the Spirit receive revelation and guidance
God is revealed as Father Gal 4:6 See also Ro 8:14-16
God’s purposes are revealed 1Co 2:9-10 See also Ro 15:13; 2Co 5:2-5; Gal 5:5; Eph 1:17-18
Guidance is given to believers Ac 8:29 See also Ac 10:19; Ac 11:12; Ac 13:2; Ac 16:6-7; Ac 20:22-23
Help is given to pray Ro 8:26-27; Eph 6:18; Jude 20
The Holy Spirit sanctifies those in whom he lives
Through the Spirit, Jesus Christ lives in believers Eph 3:16-17
The Spirit transforms believers 2Co 3:18 See also Ro 15:16; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2
The fruit of the Spirit is seen in believers’lives Ac 13:52; Ro 5:5; Ro 8:6; Ro 14:17; Ro 15:30; Gal 5:22-23; Col 1:8; 1Th 1:6
Examples of life in the Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ Mt 4:1 pp Mk 1:12 pp Lk 4:1; Mt 12:18,28; Lk 4:14,18; Lk 10:21; Ac 10:38
Simeon Lk 2:25-27
The first Christians Ac 4:31; Ac 6:3-5; Ac 11:24,27-29; Ac 13:1-3; Ac 15:28
See also
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