Hopeful: Desire With Ability

Those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.   Romans 8:5

The apostle Paul introduces us to another character, Hopeful. Like Helpless, Hopeful wants to live in a way that is pleasing to God. The difference between them lies in the area of ability.

Paul tells Hopeful to “put to death the deeds of your sinful nature” (Romans 8:13). That is precisely what Helpless could not do. He says, “I’m a prisoner!” He doesn’t have the ability to overcome the enemy. But Hopeful is in an entirely different position. He has the desire to fight against sin in his life, but he also has the ability to prevail, and the reason for that is the Spirit of God living in him.

Hopeful and Helpless face the same struggles. They feel the power of the same temptations. The difference between them lies not in the battle but in the outcome. Helpless faces inevitable defeat; Hopeful faces ultimate victory.

You might think that the power of the Holy Spirit at work in a person’s life must be a special experience known mainly by pastors, saints, and martyrs. But Paul makes it clear that this is the normal Christian life. Salvation in Christ and the gift of the Spirit are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other. “Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all” (Romans 8:9). Period.

God says to Hopeful, “If through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live” (Romans 8:13). He’s saying, “Start an intentional battle against the sin that remains in you, Hopeful. Learn to fight, and don’t say you are Helpless. You’re not! The Spirit of God is within you. Christ has put you in a position to fight!”

Can you identify specific sins you’re launching an assault on? Are you praying about them? Have you formed a strategy for change, knowing the power of the Spirit has been given to you for this purpose? Are you feeding on God’s Word and building relationships with other Christians to strengthen your soul for battle?

For further reading, see Galatians 5