I’m glad you’ve joined me as we continue our four-week series from Romans 8:1-19. This is part two of our series, which remains focused on the transformed nature of those of us who live by the Spirit.

I remember overhearing a group of twenty-somethings reacting to the news that one of their friends had unexpectedly died, leaving a lifetime of dreams yet to be fulfilled. One shocked young man said, “It just goes to show that you need to be sure that you’ve made things right with God.”

As silence hung in the air in response to that comment, I longed to jump in uninvited and ask them if they knew how to be made right with God. I had the strong impression that they did not, and I ached for them to know the truth.

You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. If you have the Spirit of God living in you, you belong to Jesus and His Spirit lives within you.

Therefore, even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life. Nothing can condemn you because you have been made right with God through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus.

 

Longing to Belong: Discovering the Joy of Acceptance is available for purchase on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Walmart.com, Booksamillion.com and Christianbook.com. It’s also available for download to your Kindle or from the Apple store for your iBooks app. Or visit my website to purchase a copy at shawnamariebryant.com

Enjoy this 10-Day Reading Plan on the YouVersion Bible App

This week's scripture: Romans 8:5-10