Your Neighbor Needs What You Have
The Spirit of Christ – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:9-14

Key Verse:  Romans 8:9

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

As we talked in yesterday’s devotional, it is easy to see ourselves rushing through life and overlooking hurting people along the way.  It is normally not that we lack any mercy but we fear what it will mean to get involved.  Sometimes we judge that they are in need because of their own choices, thus we feel justified in passing them by.  However, if God’s Spirit convinces you that this needy person is your divine appointment for the day, be a faithful follower of Christ; we must be obedient not judgmental!

It is a true statement that sometimes to help someone can be enabling bad behavior.  It is true that sometimes we should let them hit bottom so they can truly do what they need to do!  How can we know when to help and when to let people experience the consequences of their poor choices?

Today’s scripture is the answer: Listen to the Spirit of Christ that lives in you.  When a person does not have the Spirit, they are controlled by the sinful nature (Romans 8:8).  But we, who are filled with the Spirit of Christ by asking Jesus into our hearts, are controlled by the Spirit.  We can whisper prayers and trust God to give us His wisdom via His spirit to determine whether or not a person is our divine appointment or not!

Father, I will be sensitive to the spirit in me as I walk through this day.  Help me to zero in and focus on who you want me to show acts of mercy and kindness in a special way.  In Jesus’ name, amen.