God's Holy Fire: 'Eagerly Waiting!'

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.
— Galatians 5:5 NLT

Key Thought

Righteousness is a key element of God's character. Since we can't achieve or acquire righteousness on our own (Romans 3:19-25), Jesus came to earth, died, and was raised from the dead to make righteousness and justification possible for us (Romans 3:22; Romans 4:25). A crucial part of our power to live righteously before God, however, is still the work of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Jesus pours out the Spirit on us when we come to him (Titus 3:3-7), and the Spirit does what no law could ever accomplish: He enables us to live righteous lives (Romans 8:1-4). As we eagerly expect the Spirit to be at work in us, we confidently wait for the Holy Spirit to continue transforming us and infusing us with God's righteous character and gracious compassion (Galatians 5:22-23). What we lack is the sense of eager expectation that the Spirit is at work transforming us to be more like Jesus every day (2 Corinthians 3:18). But this transformation will happen if we will "eagerly wait" and truly have faith that God will keep his promise to us!

Today's Prayer

Father, I want to be more eager in my waiting! I want to live with anticipation that the Holy Spirit is at work in me to transform me to be more like Jesus each day. I want to have a strong faith that trusts in your promises and, dear Father, I want to live righteously before you, to your glory and to the blessing of others. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Comments

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Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:5 NLT — But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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