Bulletin Walking In the Light of the Spirit Romans 8:1,4 (AMPC) 1 THEREFORE, [ there is ] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [ and ] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. 4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [ our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit ]. The danger of the storm isn’t as much in its existence as in its ability to condemn or destroy. As long as you have followed the way that leads to safety, there can be assurance of freedom from the storm’s condemnation. If the path that has been chosen leads headlong into the fury of the storm, then destruction will be the experience. It would not make sense that anyone would willfully walk directly into the eye of a storm, but this is very common where there is a simple lack of awareness. Where there is deception or an inability to see clearly, the destination of the path can be obscured. The ignorance of the period before 9/11 resulted in thousands of lives perishing before they knew there was even a storm coming. Since that time, the light has been shown on the areas of vulnerability and changes have been made to the path that is taken with regard to security in our country. For there to be safety on the path that is chosen, there is need for a clear light on the path and its destination. This is most necessary in our world today as the perceptions of morality and right vs wrong have become obscured by ungodliness. The storms we are experiencing now along with those that are building to hurricane levels are the result of a path that has consistently been free from the light of God’s Word. As long as the only understanding of life is coming from the darkness of entertainment and social media, there is no hope for a path that can weather the storm. God has something to say about all the issues that, to the world, seem to just be a matter of personal choice. He hates these things because of where they lead. Until there is a walk in the Spirit according to the Word of God, there can be no hope of surviving the stormy destination of the alternative. ___ ## Notes Review A Storm is on the way – either coming or going to Preparing for the right storm is critical To be in Christ is to abide in a residence that will withstand any storm. Resident vs Residence Who are you? Where do you live? What is the status of that dwelling – its construction/maintenance? Where are you walking? – Inevitable storms coming to all Self-created storms - sin Importance of every step’s alignment with the Spirit. The Light of God’s Word – only provision of life’s security. From God’s Word comes a light for our choices Psalms 119:105 (NIV) 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. In the light of God’s Word there is joyful confidence that safety brings. Psalms 19:8 (NIV) 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. By the Spirit there is illumination for walking His path in righteousness. 2 Peter 1:19 (NIV) 19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Though not natural, righteousness grows in brightness with each choice. Proverbs 4:18 (NIV) 18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Left alone, the flesh will dictate the path chosen – inevitable death. Romans 7:25 (TPT) 25 I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles. When the reflection from the Word becomes the path chosen – no condemnation. Romans 8:1,4 (AMPC) 1 THEREFORE, [ there is ] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [ and ] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. 4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [ our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit ].