If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit already dwells within you. When you purchase a mechanical item that runs on batteries, frequently the notice "Batteries Not Included" is printed on the box. The Holy Spirit -- your source of power for living -- is "included" when you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Therefore, you do not need to invite Him to come into your life. He came to live within you when you became a Christian, and Jesus promised that He will never leave you.
The moment you received Christ, the Holy Spirit not only came to indwell you, but He imparted to you spiritual life, causing you to be born anew as a child of God. The Holy Spirit also baptized you into the body of Christ. In I Corinthians 12:13, Paul explains, "We were all baptized by one Spirit into one body."
There is but one indwelling of the Holy Spirit, one rebirth of the Holy Spirit, and one baptism of the Holy Spirit -- all of which occur when you receive Christ.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit, however, is not a once-for-all experience. There are many fillings, as is made clear in Ephesians 5:18.
Read Ephesians 5:18. In the original Greek, "be filled" means "keep on being filled constantly and continually." Living a godly life is a vital part of this process.
The Spirit-Filled Life is an obedient and abiding life. It can be experienced daily as you:
How is the Holy Spirit's fullness and power evident in your life?
List any areas of your life in which the Holy Spirit is not in control.
List the areas where the Holy Spirit is in control.
What practical steps will you take this week to give the Holy Spirit full control of those areas that you have not surrendered to Him?
Have you realized a victory today over a sin you confessed yesterday? Describe.
Adapted from The 10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity, by Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Cru. All rights reserved.
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