Explore the Bible: October 18

Indwelt • Romans 8:14-27

By Laura Lee Leathers

In the Old Testament, the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit descended upon specific individuals temporarily to complete a specific God-given task. A good illustration is seen in the life of King Saul (1 Samuel 9:27-16:23).

In Exodus 31, the Lord tells Moses that he has called certain individuals to build the Tabernacle. The Lord filled Bezalel, “with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works (vs. 1-5 NKJV).

In the New Testament, Jesus promises the disciples that the Spirit of Truth would come. The Helper, or the Holy Spirit, who “dwells with you and will be in you.” He will abide within the believer forever (John 14:17).

Drop down to verse 26, “but the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Also look at Ephesians 1:7, Titus 3:5, 2 Peter 1:4, Colossians 1:27, and 1 John 4:15.

The moment an individual repents and believes, they are adopted into the family of God, and the Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence. A believer is “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Romans 8. The Spurgeon Study Bible states that “This wonderful chapter is the cream of the cream of Holy Scriptures” (Study notes, page 1523). Warren Wiersbe* calls it the “Christian’s Declaration of Freedom.”

Next, highlight every time the Holy Spirit is mentioned and then underline the phrase “lives in you.”    

Relationship (Rom. 8:14-17 CSB)

As believers in Christ, you and I are now being led by God’s Spirit. We are no longer obligated to, nor do we desire, to live according to the flesh. We walk in new life through the Spirit, demonstrating that we are God’s sons.

One of the Holy Spirit’s ministries is adoption. To be adopted means, “being placed as an adult son.” * Because believers have Christ living in them, they need no longer be fearful of being enslaved to sin; there is a desire to yield to the Spirit and be guided daily by His Word.

Through the Spirit of Adoption, we have the privilege to cry out, “Abba, Father!” Additionally, we become “heirs of God and coheirs with Christ” (v. 17). God’s resources are available to meet all your needs (Philippians 4:19).

Being a coheir with Christ also means we will suffer because of our faith. Paul reminds us that the struggles in this life are nothing compared with the blessings of eternity.

Hope (Rom. 8:18-25)

As a believer, do I focus on my suffering or on the glory that awaits me? In these seven verses, Paul wants to remind the believer: 1) not to compare the sufferings (see 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 regarding Paul’s sufferings) here with the glory that awaits; 2) creation, once perfect, now in the bondage of decay, will be set free; also, it awaits the glory to come; 3) believers can rest in hope that is not seen.

“The anticipation of the final redemption of our bodies produces hope” (Lifeway), and we are to wait for it with patience. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. It’s so much more. Hope is a confident expectation grounded in God’s promises (see Titus 2:13).

Help (Rom 8:26-27)

Paul states that in this hope and through the Spirit we are strengthened. The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. Has there ever been a time when the suffering and the pain were so intense that you didn’t know what to pray? The Spirit “intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.” 

Our words can be inadequate or fail. But the Spirit brings our burdens to God. We can approach the throne of grace with boldness, knowing that we will have grace to help us in the time of need (Hebrews 4:17). 

God searches our hearts and knows the mind of the Spirit. Why? “Because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” God’s ways are best and for our good. We can trust Him!

*Be Right, How to Be Right with God, Yourself, and Others, by Warren W. Wiersbe (1977), pages 86, 91

Leathers is a member of First Baptist Church, Lexington.