Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT)
It is a very familiar story, but before Christmas I was reading again in Luke 2: 26-35) about the angel coming to Mary to tell her that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son and name him Jesus. Mary asked, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And the angel added this important statement: “For nothing will be impossible with God”
Like so many of you, I’ve known this story since I was a child in Sunday School participating in Christmas programs and memorizing lots of Scripture. But as I’m studying about the Holy Spirit with my women’s group this season, I’m becoming more aware of the Holy Spirit and the promise of His indwelling presence in every believer who has received Jesus as Lord and Savior. As I was thinking about the miraculous conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb, I started thinking of other aspects of life brought about by the Holy Spirit of God.
Mary was not the first person to experience the miracle of new life by the Holy Spirit. We read in Genesis 2:7 about God creating the first man, Adam. “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.”
But even before Adam, God’s Spirit was at work in the creation of the world. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2).
Before Jesus went to the cross to be sacrificed as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, He had a long conversation with His disciples. He told them that He would be going back to the Father and that it was to their advantage that He would go away. How shocking that would have been for the disciples to hear! How could it possibly be better for Him to go away than to be with them in person as He had been for three years! But Jesus told them, “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you…“(John 16:7-15). Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit. And the promise continues in verses 16 and 17: And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
It is the Holy Spirit who creates new spiritual birth in everyone who repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. We are born again by His Spirit. He begins the work in us to transform us to be more like Jesus and promises to complete the work He began in us.
One other aspect I thought of God’s Spirit breathing life is found in 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is inspired by God. The word “inspired” means “God-breathed.” So we can trust God’s Word to be the truth He wants us to know about Himself, about why Jesus came, and the plans and promises He has for those who will receive Him as Lord and Savior.
At the beginning of this New Year, I want to focus on the truth of the renewed spiritual life the Lord offers. “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day”
(2 Corinthians 4:16 (NLT). I want to remember to thank God daily for the new life He gives by His Spirit, and the promise of eternity with Him in heaven.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Consider writing your own prayer to God thanking Him for the new life you have because Jesus was willing to come to earth, was willing to die for your sins, and was raised again to life. And now He offers you new spiritual birth by His indwelling Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life in heaven.
I’ve printed the words of this hymn as a prayer to God:
Breathe on me, Breath of God
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.
Ahhh, I love that hymn, which God brings to mind every morning, even before I get up. How blest we are to have the indwelling Holy Spirit of GOD! Thank you for your good words and scriptures on this vital truth and for the reminder to thank God for this amazing provision for us. We are never alone because His Spirit abides not only with us but within our very hearts. I thank Him for continuing to inspire you to study and share His truth with us!!