“Asking You—Have You Yielded?” ~ ✨
In his letters, the apostle Paul often reminded believers to obey the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16), be spiritually minded, follow the Spirit (Romans 8:4–5), not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:30), and not quench the Spirit’s prompting (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Paul gave these reminders because he knew that believing in the Lord involves choice—it is under the conviction of the Holy Spirit that one believes and receives the Lord. After believing, choosing to walk according to the Spirit also involves choice. So why does God give us the freedom to choose whether to believe or not, to yield or not?
Life is full of choices; the only things we cannot choose are our birth and the family we are born into. For example: one can choose their own death—where and how to die; one can choose to believe in the Lord, who saves them from sin and the sting of spiritual death; one can also choose to deliberately ignore or rebel against God. The relationship between humans and God begins with a choice.
The first Adam chose to disobey God and committed the sin leading to death (Genesis 2:17). Since then, God has bound all people in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all (Genesis 3:21; Romans 11:32; Galatians 3:22).
The last Adam, Jesus Christ, glorified God by choosing obedience (John 12:28 & 17:4). Through His obedience, Jesus accomplished the salvation on the cross (John 17:4), so that we can be justified by choosing to believe in Him. Should those who believe in Jesus also choose to learn from His example—to obey and glorify God (John 17:6 & 10; 15:8 & 10)?
The obedience of the Son of Man, Jesus, was not automatic; it was entirely voluntary. We are to follow Jesus’ obedience, so our obedience is also not automatic but arises from a heart that loves the Father God and the Lord Jesus Christ who saved us. This is like following Christ’s obedient heart to love God and love the people whom God loves (John 3:16).
God’s standard for obedience is complete obedience (Genesis 17:1); this can be seen in Jesus’ perfect obedience. Complete obedience means we must fully keep God’s will and commands (Matthew 7:21).
In the New Testament, we obey and keep the Lord’s commands out of love for Him. For example, in John 14:15 & 23, the Lord says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
In the Old Testament, keeping God’s commandments and statutes is often linked with fearing God. For example:
Deuteronomy 6:1–2:
“These are the commands, decrees, and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe… so that you, your children, and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.”
Deuteronomy 6:13:
“Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.”
If believers automatically obeyed the Holy Spirit after believing, it would not involve a choice made by human will. Then the Bible would not need to talk about keeping commands out of love for the Lord or out of fear of God.
Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, our inner being is strengthened with power, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith and obedience, grounding and establishing us in love (Ephesians 4:16–17), enabling us to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
The Lord Christ is our example. In Ephesians 4, Paul uses four verses to highlight how the believer’s heart should align deeply with Christ’s heart. He teaches believers what to do:
1. Ephesians 4:20: Learn Christ.
2. Ephesians 4:22: Put off the old self.
3. Ephesians 4:23: Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
4. Ephesians 4:24: Put on the new self.
The Holy Spirit has intentions, and we are to align with them. We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to grow gradually into the likeness of Christ (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 8:17). If we do not walk in obedience to the Spirit, we will naturally follow the desires of the flesh (Romans 8:5–6; Galatians 5:17), making us easily led or tempted by our own desires. When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin (James 1:14–15). The Bible warns us that if we live according to the flesh, we will die, but if by the Spirit we put to death the misdeeds of the body, we will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God (Romans 8:13–14).
God’s re-establishment of a relationship with humanity also begins with His choice. He chose us in Christ before the creation of the world and created us in Christ… to the praise of His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:4–6; 2:10). God’s choice stems from His love for us. Now, our choice to walk by the Spirit also stems from following the love already shown to us, loving God in return. If believers choose to walk by the Spirit, they choose to be children who glorify God (Romans 8:16–17).
Finally, I conclude my sharing with a sentence and my poem: Although God gives us the freedom to choose whether or not to obey the Holy Spirit, His desire is for us to follow the obedience of His firstborn Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:4; Philippians 2:5–11), so that we can also share in Christ’s glory in eternity (Romans 8:17).
“Same · Different” ✨
Same words, different reactions
Different words, same lack of response
The same situation, but a different way of living
Words can illuminate hearts
Words can also dishearten
Let those who have ears, hear
Let those who have strength, act
When death suddenly comes,
You may wish for sameness, but sameness is no longer possible
✨✨ 💖 ~
en yan hua fang 