A Broke Evangelist

November 18, 2024

Romans 8:9-11

Empowered by the Spirit  

“9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 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.”

Today was a pretty good day overall. I’m feeling a little better than I have been lately, as I’m getting used to the new medications and all the fun side effects that come with them. As I learn more about the meds I’m taking, I’ve noticed some unusual sensations in my body that I’m clearly not used to. But on the bright side, as my symptoms improve, I’m due for my next dose in a couple of days—and hopefully, the cycle won’t repeat itself. At least I won’t be spending my mornings in medical offices for labs and appointments, surrounded by sick people. Honestly, I still think that’s what got me feeling under the weather in the first place.

I headed into the office this afternoon and was blown away by how bad the traffic was around 1 o’clock. It felt like all the smart drivers took the day off, leaving the roads to the rest of us—aka the crazies. People still love to cruise in the left lane at a glacial pace, while others seem to think it's a game to speed up the second you signal to change lanes. Fifty years of driving experience kept me from meeting Jesus at the throne today, as I dodged maniacs like Jeff Gordon at Daytona.

The drive home wasn’t much better, though it was a bit more "relaxed." Everyone seemed to be going so slowly, it was hard for anyone to be really crazy. Of course, we were all slowing down to check out a rear-end collision on the side of the road, adding to the backup. Once I passed all that, though, the madness returned as the Freeway 500 got underway with a green flag, and we raced to the next interchange.

But despite the chaos, I made it home at a decent hour, greeted by my happy dogs who practically attacked me with excitement as I walked in from the garage. And to top it off, my wife had a plate of dinner waiting for me as I sat down to relax. All in all, I’m a blessed man.

Speaking of blessed, let’s get blessed once again as I review Romans 8:9-11…

Romans 8:9 – You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 

When a person is born again, the Holy Spirit is given to them, making every believer carry within themselves a force greater and more powerful than the flesh. It’s as if though we have our own divine superpower within us, guiding and strengthening us from the inside out. It’s like being on the open sea with a special compass that can not only tell us direction, but is also attuned to the stars, the tides, and even the storm systems that are situated throughout the world. Not only does it direct us, but also shows us with absolute certainty that our journey will be successful and with few problems.

When a person is born again, the Holy Spirit becomes that divine compass within. It guides us with unwavering accuracy, helping us navigate life’s challenges and temptations. Even when the waters are rough or the horizon unclear, this inner guide keeps us steady, reminding us of the greater strength we now carry to rise above the storm.

Every believer has the Holy Spirit—no exceptions! Dividing Christians into “Spirit-filled” and “non-Spirit-filled” categories is a bit like dividing fish into “water-breathing” and “non-water-breathing.” If someone doesn’t have the Holy Spirit, they’re not a Christian at all—it’s as simple as that.

However, many Christians miss out on experiencing the full, abundant life that comes from living in the constant fullness of the Spirit. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:18 to keep being filled with the Holy Spirit—but let’s be honest, sometimes we forget to “refill the tank.” As a result, we miss that beautiful reality Jesus described in John 7:37-39 where rivers of living water flowing from within, refreshing, sustaining, and overflowing into every part of life. It’s like having a wellspring inside but forgetting to turn on the tap!

How can you tell if you have the Spirit? It’s simpler than you might think—just ask yourself these questions:  Has the Spirit pointed you to Jesus and drawn you closer to Him?  Do you find yourself wanting to honor Jesus in your words and actions?  Is the Spirit nudging you to become more like Jesus, shaping your character and choices?  Do you notice the Spirit working in your heart, guiding, encouraging, or even gently correcting you? If you’re nodding along, congratulations—you’ve got the Spirit! Think of it as having an ever-present life coach cheering you on, pointing you to Christ, and transforming you from the inside out.

Romans 8:10 – But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 

If Christ is in you, here’s some truly uplifting news: even though your physical body is still subject to the effects of sin—aging, weakness, and eventually death—the Spirit within you is a powerhouse of life. It’s not just any life but a life rooted in righteousness, the kind that keeps your soul vibrant and your hope unshakable.

Think of it like a lightbulb connected to an unending power source. Sure, the bulb itself might flicker or wear out over time, but the electricity running through it is constant and unstoppable. In the same way, while our physical bodies face the limitations of this world, the Spirit works from within, energizing us with God’s life and righteousness. It’s the ultimate upgrade: a temporary, earth-bound body housing a soul filled with eternal, Spirit-powered life.

Romans 8:11 - 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.

Because Jesus lives in us, the “old man”—our sinful, flesh-bound nature—has been put to death. It’s like putting the past behind you, leaving the old habits and struggles in the rearview mirror. But here’s the exciting part: though our bodies are still mortal and subject to the frailties of this world, the Spirit now reigns within us, bringing us to life in ways we can’t fully comprehend. The Spirit isn’t just an accessory or an afterthought—it’s the very power that raised Jesus from the dead, and that same power is at work in you.

This means that even as our bodies age and wear down, the Spirit is actively working out the process of salvation within us. It’s like having a divine contractor remodeling a house from the inside out, constantly improving it, even though the walls might look a little worn. And the ultimate transformation? Resurrection. The Spirit will breathe new life into our bodies, just as it did with Jesus. We’ll be raised up, not just in spirit, but in a glorified body, fully alive, free from sin and death forever. It’s the ultimate “rebirth,” and it’s all powered by the same Spirit that never quits, never gives up, and will finish the work it started in us.

More to come…

A Broke Evangelist – November 18, 2024

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