Can you do it?

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sound doctrine, strong faith”

Our Bible verse for today: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8:11 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Can you do it?

In recent days we have been thinking about the important truth that a new way of thinking leads to a new way of believing which leads to a new way of living. That sounds great but can you do it? Can you force that kind of change into your life and thereby change who you are as a person? The answer is “no!”. You cannot do it. But Jesus can. That’s the foundational doctrinal truth Paul explains to us in Romans 8:11. The same power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, thereby transforming His dead human body into a fully alive resurrection body, is living within you and is at work in you to transform you into the person God wants you to be.

This is a critical understanding. It’s a powerful truth. This changes everything. It is one of the most important truths in the New Testament. If you belong to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit lives within you and empowers you to live the life God wants for you. You do not have to do this with your own power. You cannot. The transformation can and will come from the Holy Spirit if you will just cooperate and let Him work within you.

Even as a Christian the temptations of sin and the allure of the world will still be present and real and strong, and your mortal body will still be susceptible to it. But the power of the Holy Spirit within you is stronger than the power of the world around you. If God calls you to live in a way that honors Him, then He will also enable you to live in that way if you choose to. That’s what 1 Corinthians 10:13 is all about: “No temptation has seized you except that which is common to all men; and God is faithful, He will not allow you to be tempted beyond that which you can endure. But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so you can stand up under it.”

Go back to verse 11 of Romans 8: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.” The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is present inside you. One day the Holy Spirit will use that power to raise you to new life in a resurrection body like the one Jesus had. Until then, He uses that power to help you live the life God has called you to. A new way of believing leads to a new way of thinking and that leads to a new way of living. It’s the Spirit of God within you who makes it happen.

Can you do it? No, you cannot. But Jesus can.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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