And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
Romans 8:11
Dear HBIC Family,
Every year during Lent, I flash back to my college days. This was my first time living in community with people who fully embraced the season. As someone new to this practice of our Christian faith, I was intrigued. There were some of us who were seemingly in a competition to share that our Lenten sacrifice was the greatest. They were some of us who chose to give up things we knew were unhealthy. And there were some like myself, who were just trying to sort all of it out as best as we could.
My prayer for us is not in how great our sacrifice is, but in us reflecting on Jesus, the greatest sacrifice. I pray that if there are unhealthy practices in our lives, we are choosing to root them out and move on – not just during Lent, but for the rest of our days. Last week I shared that Lent is walking together as we journey with God in this season. Lent is holding on to both Jesus in the wilderness and Jesus’ march to Calvary’s tree. Lent is focusing on prayer, self-restraint, repentance and reconciliation. This is the heart of Lent.
This week we will be continuing our Walking with God: A Journey Through Lent series by looking at what life in the Spirit looks like. The Holy Spirit, through scripture, reminds us that we are not yet complete and we have work to do to live by the Spirit and not the flesh. We are also reminded that, because of Jesus, God calls us holy and we are to be what we already are in Christ. What a blessing we have to hold on to: the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in and brings new life to all who believe!
To prepare for this week’s service, I invite you to read and meditate on Romans 8:1-14. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
Where in your life has God set you free?
What have you had to put to death and leave behind to enjoy new life in Christ?
What is the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
How are you helping to bring life to people in your life?
One of the marks of ancient covenants was the exchange of robes. This intentional act signified the exchange of identity and essence. In so doing, covenant partners pronounce, “All that I am is now wrapped in you and all of you is wrapped in me.” The New Testament writers pick up on this by reminding us that, in Christ, because of what Christ has done and how God has so loved us, we who believe are now clothed in God’s righteousness. Putting to death sin and surrendering to the Spirit and not the flesh helps us to continue to grow into who we are in Christ.
Praise God for the love of God that sets us free. Praise God for the Son of God who showed us how to put sin to death and to be resurrected to new life. And praise God for the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and now raises many of us to new life in Christ.
God bless you all, and take care.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (Romans 8:11)