“The Christian life is simple.  The Christian life is impossible.  The Christian life is Christ living His life in us by the Holy Spirit.”  – The Sonlife Principle (Sonlife Ministries)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”  Romans 8:14

The new covenant life of the true disciple is transformational.  New covenant living requires resurrection power, which comes through the full control of the Holy Spirit (see previous posts).  Romans 8:2 tells us, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” The old power of sin that controlled us has been disarmed.  We are set free to a new manner of living. Our new life in Christ is not added to our old life.  It is not a reformed or upgraded life under our own power. It is not even a rebooted life. It is a transformed life.

Once we “lose” the control of our own life to the Holy Spirit, we can finally leave behind our old living divided into the sacred activities we “do for God” and the other activities we do for ourselves.   Few things clearly evidence a life not yet transformed as a divided life.   The new covenant life is an undivided life unified by our full submission to the Holy Spirit. Our submission frees us from self-direction and allows the Holy Spirit to take over control of all our living.  It is no longer we who live but the Spirit of Christ who lives in us and transforms us.     

The transformation will be both painful and joyful.   Painful in that we are giving up the very root of our rebellion against our God.  Yet it will not be as painful as continuing in that rebellion.  Joyful because we will finally be engaged in the life that will resonate with our very being.  We will finally be living life as it is intended.

The transformation will progress, and it will be easier to pray for your own death to self-direction often each day. You will hear your God speaking of unyielded thinking and actions in your life, and as you become more and more responsive to His speaking, the transformation He is doing in you will progress.  

You will notice how natural it is to have conversation with the Spirit often in the day and will make more time for silence with your God. You will look back with joy at the growth He has worked in you.  You will notice how those sins which have beset you for years are now unappealing and are happening less often.

By our God’s great mercy and grace, by His Spirit He brings to bear the spiritual power – resurrection power – we need daily.  The solution to the power of sin in us is elegant, full of grace, love, mercy, and compassion. This is the new covenant in Christ’s blood that began in His death and resurrection and is fulfilled in the work of the Holy Spirit in us.

What are steps we can take every day to yield control to the Holy Spirit?

1. Realize that much of what we have been “taught” by the Christian culture is old covenant religiosity. We have been tricked by the enemy into trying to live in the new covenant era using old covenant thinking. 
2. Recognize that the new covenant life to which we have been invited is not a reformed life, but a life transformed by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in us. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us.
3. Relinquish control and management of your living. Let go of any fear that God will not come through. The path to the new covenant life is found when our control is crucified, when we cease striving, and let God be your
4. Remand control to your God. Pray many times each day for your God to live His life in place of yours.
5. Repent every time you realize you are back in control. Turn quickly from this temporary godlessness.

New covenant living is the life of Christ Jesus Himself, lived in us when we abandon our self-life and self-direction.  Commit to this life, and you will live in the presence and power of the Spirit of Christ every day.  You will not lose anything of eternal value, and you will find the life for which your soul longs.

“Choice. Choosing is the key. There is power in our ability to choose not how we will respond in any situation, but to whom we will turn.”