Sermon Devotional: Indwelt by Jesus

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11 (ESV)



When I was in seminary, I took a class on the book of Galatians taught by one of my favorite professors. He emphasized to us that one of the most important things to glean from the book was to understand what it means in Galatians 5 to “walk by the Spirit” (v.16), to be “led by the Spirit” (v.18), to “live by the Spirit” (v.25) and to “keep in step with the Spirit” (v.25).  I still remember walking out of class and wondering to myself, what does that look like? This passage in Romans 8 has me asking the same question and maybe you are asking it as well.  What does the Apostle Paul want us to understand about the Spirit of Jesus indwelling us?

Both in Galatians and in this passage in Romans 8, the “flesh” is contrasted with the “Spirit.” In Romans, the emphasis in not on being led or walking with the Spirit, but that the Spirit of God dwells in you (v. 9).  This is repeated throughout the passage. In verse 10, if Christ is in you, the Spirit is life!  In verse 11, if the Spirit dwells in you, you will have eternal life. I love the trinitarian nature of Romans 8:9-11: “Spirit of God” (v. 9), “Spirit of Christ” (v. 9), “the Spirit” (v. 10), “the Spirit of him who raised Jesus” (v. 11), “his Spirit” (v. 11).  Our salvation, our new life and the indwelling of the Spirit, is accomplished by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  What a blessing to reflect on the fact that the indwelling of the Spirit is so important!

The Spirit and life are being contrasted with the flesh and death. The very fact that the Spirit of Christ dwells in us is not a trivial matter. It is a foundational truth that points to what it means to be “Alive with Christ” (Eph 2:5, Col 2:13).  Jesus is present in your life. Think about that for a moment, let it sink in. Jesus is present in you. We have been gifted with the Spirit who dwells in us every moment of every day until we see Christ in all of His Glory.

So back to my question. What does the Apostle Paul want us to understand about the Spirit of Jesus indwelling us? Two things I think would be beneficial. First, that life, everlasting life is made possible by the indwelling Spirit. Apart from the Spirit we are “dead in our trespasses” (Eph 2:5), while in the Spirit we have life, “abundant life” (John 10:10). Secondly, the Spirit of Jesus is indwelling and operating on the inside. He is giving us guidance, teaching us, granting assurance of our faith. He is praying in us. He is comforting us and he is convicting us. He is simply and profoundly present. Because Jesus is present, we are enabled to “walk in the Spirit,” “to keep in step with the Spirit,” “to be led by the Spirit,” and “to live by the Spirit”! Jesus is always with us loving us and never forsaking us in the hard times and the moments of temptation. He is present in our grief, present in our sorrows. We have his promise that in moments when we feel alone or isolated Jesus is there, present and sitting with us in our fears and anxiety. What a privilege and blessing to be indwelt by God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.  Amen.

Consider –
╬   The Incarnation tells us that God is with us. And Jesus goes even further to tell us that God the Spirit is dwelling within us. Our union with Christ by the Spirit is hard to wrap our minds around, but just because it’s hard doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. When have you been profoundly aware of the presence and the action of the indwelling Spirit of God? Ask God to remind you. Give thanks.
╬   When have you invited the indwelling Spirit of Jesus to make himself at home? Invite Jesus today to take an even greater ownership of your heart, mind, habits, and relationships. Ask him what more of your life he wants you to surrender to his love. Give all to him.
╬    Lord, thank you that we are transformed by the indwelling of your Spirit.  You are always present. Help us pay attention to the Spirit of Jesus who indwells us. Lord, help us to live as Christ lives in us. May you be glorified in all that we do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.