Bible Society: Pentecost Reflections Day 6
Hi Friend
Welcome to day six of your Pentecost reflection series, unpacking the role of the Holy Spirit in Scripture and in our lives. Read about the real giver of life …
Today’s Bible verses
Romans 8.1–6 (GNB) <https://biblesociety.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tyitjtkk-bilwlltil-r/>
‘To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace’.
Today’s reflection
If the Bible is the story of the greatest ruler of them all – Jesus – then many consider the book of Romans to be its crown, describing the beauty of the gospel with great depth and clarity. And in this crown, chapter 8 is arguably the greatest jewel. If there is one chapter which summarises the heart of all the great truths we hold onto, it is Romans 8.
What it tells us, put simply, is that God’s plan for us is life – true life, abundant life, life with God forever. It is a life conferred by the Spirit (verse 2) – since God is the author and sustainer of life, when his Spirit dwells in us then he cannot help but confer this life on us. We may still have to die a physical death but our spiritual life is assured.
What does this life look like? In today’s passage the apostle Paul gives us three glorious glimpses of what ‘the law of the Spirit, which brings us life’ offers us (verse 2, GNB):
First, no condemnation (verse 1). Jesus took that on our behalf that we might be free (verse 2). In a world that knows the recent reality of restrictions on our lives, the reality that we live in the light of a greater and deeper, eternal freedom is a wonderful encouragement.
Second, a new government (verse 6). We’re not talking here about civil or national government but that our minds can now be governed by something other than our own inclinations and desires. This adoption of divine government in our lives takes time – a lifetime for most of us – but slowly the growing realisation that we live by a new ‘rulebook’ (the ‘law of the Spirit’) with a new power source, energises our faith and empowers us to lead lives that are more like the lives we were designed to lead.
And, thirdly, the outcome of this is peace (verse 6). We all face conflicts – within ourselves, with temptations, and occasionally with others, even within our communities – but the Spirit of Christ brings peace. Not with all people, all the time – at least not this side of heaven – but slowly and steadily our minds, governed by the Spirit, produce lives characterised by peace.
Deep down, we all think that real life ought to be about freedom and peace. The great news is that this is exactly what Jesus came to bring. The temptation for most of us is to look for this kind of life in things that can’t give it to us. But here, detailed in Romans 8, is the real deal. May God’s Spirit increasingly govern our minds that we might live in freedom and peace.
These Pentecost reflections were written by Revd Matt Trendall, a minister working in Milton Keynes
Today’s prayer
Thank you that you give us life. I submit my mind and my whole self to you that I may be governed by the Spirit in all I do and think. Spirit guide me today.
Today’s action
Take a moment today to read Romans 8 in full and stop, pause and ponder over the great truths revealed.