Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Paul, in this short verse, closes the door on the false teaching that a people can be saved and yet not experience Spirit led change in their lives. If the Spirit is leading a person, this means he is following that lead. If a person is not following the Spirit, then he is not being led. Such a person is not saved even if he claims to have faith [James 2:14-25] or he is pursuing righteousness through the self-effort of legalistic law keeping [Romans 7:13-25]. Saved people are new creations in Christ through the new covenant gift of a new heart. This new heart empowers and motivates a person to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and this happens to varying degrees in regenerated believers. Adopted sons of God are followers of Christ because they are led by the Spirit, and this verse does not offer any other possibility. This is grace.
Focus on Christ #97
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2 comments:
"This new heart empowers and motivates a person to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit..."
And the leading of the Spirit will always take us into the Word to see Jesus in all His glory, and to see how we should live in such a way as to adorn the Gospel. Great post, Wayne.
Thank you Mark. Fulfillment/New Covenant theology provides what the OT only promised and that is Jesus and his glory as you said.
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