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Romans 8:14 - SPIRIT LED LIVING.

Romans 8:14 (NKJV) For as many as are led by 
the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  

Romans 8:14 (NLT) For all who are led by the 
Spirit of God are children of God.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   The first key for usefulness in God's 
kingdom is humility. Pride cuts us off from God (and 
from other people), and deceives us into thinking 
we can do God's work without God's power. When 
we rely on the Holy Spirit, however, He 
sanctifies us and empowers us so we can be effective 
tools in God's hands. 
   But there is a second key, and that is 
faith - faith that God is sovereign, and that He 
is at work, even if we can't see it... God is 
at work, even in the midst of the problems, 
pessimism, and frustrations of our day. He alone is 
sovereign - and that is why we can trust Him, even 
when the way seems dark. [Hope for Each Day by 
Billy Graham] 

COMMENTARY

   We build on Christ by obeying His word. 
It is not he who merely enjoys righteousness, 
that is righteous, but he who does righteousness. 
Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of 
surrendering all to God; it is doing the will of our 
heavenly Father. When the children of Israel were 
encamped on the borders of the Promised Land, it was 
not enough for them to have a knowledge of 
Canaan, or to sing the songs of Canaan. This alone 
would not bring them into possession of the 
vineyards and olive groves of the goodly land. They 
could make it theirs in truth only by occupation, 
by complying with the conditions, by exercising 
living faith in God, by appropriating His promises 
to themselves, while they obeyed His 
instruction.  
   Religion consists in doing the words of 
Christ; not doing to earn God's favor, but because, 
all undeserving, we have received the gift of 
His love. Christ places the salvation of man, 
not upon profession merely, but upon faith that 
is made manifest in works of righteousness. 
Doing, not saying merely, is expected of the 
followers of Christ. It is through action that 
character is built. "As many as are led by the Spirit 
of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14. 
Not those whose hearts are touched by the 
Spirit, not those who now and then yield to its 
power, but they that are led by the Spirit, are the 
sons of God.  
   Do you desire to become a follower of 
Christ, yet know not how to begin? Are you in 
darkness and know not how to find the light? Follow 
the light you have. Set your heart to obey what 
you do know of the word of God. His power, His 
very life, dwells in His word. As you receive the 
word in faith, it will give you power to obey. As 
you give heed to the light you have, greater 
light will come. You are building on God's word, 
and your character will be builded after the 
similitude of the character of Christ.  
   Christ, the true foundation, is a living 
stone; His life is imparted to all that are built 
upon Him. "Ye also, as living stones, are built 
up a spiritual house." "Each several building, 
fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple 
in the Lord." 1 Peter 2:5, R.V.; Ephesians 
2:21, R.V. The stones became one with the 
foundation; for a common life dwells in all. That 
building no tempest can overthrow; for--  
      "That which shares the life of God, 
      With Him surviveth all." 
   But every building erected on other 
foundation than God's word will fall. He who, like the 
Jews in Christ's day, builds on the foundation of 
human ideas and opinions, of forms and ceremonies 
of man's invention, or on any works that he can 
do independently of the grace of Christ, is 
erecting his structure of character upon the shifting 
sand. The fierce tempests of temptation will sweep 
away the sandy foundation and leave his house a 
wreck on the shores of time.  {MB 149-150} 

   While engaged in our daily work, we 
should lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These 
silent petitions rise like incense before the 
throne of grace; and the enemy is baffled. The 
Christian whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot 
be overcome. No evil arts can destroy his 
peace. All the promises of God's word, all the 
power of divine grace, all the resources of 
Jehovah, are pledged to secure his deliverance. It 
was thus that Enoch walked with God. And God was 
with him, a present help in every time of need... 
 
   Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is 
the secret of spiritual power. No other means of 
grace can be substituted, and the health of the 
soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into 
immediate contact with the Well-spring of life, and 
strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious 
experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in 
prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems 
convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual 
faculties lose their vitality, the religious 
experience lacks health and vigor.  It is only at the 
altar of God that we can kindle our tapers with 
divine fire. {GW 254} 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Romans 8:12-14 - Living for Christ Defeats 
the Sinful Nature! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070208-1054.html 

Galatians 5:16 - Living by the Spirit.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220422-0854.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs