The Holy Spirit's Role in the Life of a Christ Follower

Romans 8 is a powerful chapter that mentions the Holy Spirit 21 times—a significant increase from the mere five mentions in the previous seven chapters. In verses 9-17, Paul refers to the Holy Spirit eight times, revealing crucial insights about how the Spirit works in our lives.

How Does the Holy Spirit Restore Life?

The first major role of the Holy Spirit is that He restores life. Before we come to faith, we are compared to death in the flesh because of our sinful nature. But after repenting and believing in Jesus, the Holy Spirit brings life—and not just as a one-time event. The Spirit restores life in all three phases of our existence:

Past: The Moment of Salvation

"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Romans 8:9)

When you repent and believe, the Spirit of God comes to dwell in you. This is a specific moment when you cross over from death in sin to life in Christ. At that moment, you become alive in the Spirit.

Present: Ongoing Restoration

"But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:10)

The Holy Spirit is actively bringing life to your body and soul right now. People physically look different after coming to believe in Jesus. Where there was once sin and death, the Holy Spirit brings life and righteousness into everyday aspects of life.

Future: Resurrection

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)

Though we will all physically die, the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us to eternal life. The Holy Spirit ensures our resurrection to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father.

How Can the Holy Spirit Bring Life to My Everyday Situations?

The Holy Spirit cannot work where He is not present. To experience His life-restoring power:

• First, you must have the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in Jesus

• Then, walk in the Spirit by organizing all parts of your life around Jesus

• Live in obedience to God's Word

When we walk in obedience and faith, we'll see God restore things that seem impossible by human standards. The Holy Spirit can create love where there is no love, joy where there is no joy, and forgiveness where there is no forgiveness.

Jesus reminds us: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

How Does the Holy Spirit Restore Purpose?

The second major role of the Holy Spirit is restoring purpose. Paul uses the word "if" seven times in this passage, establishing conditions that must be met. This reveals an important truth: we should not assume that having a positive disposition toward Christianity is the same as being in Christ.

From Sin Debt to Righteousness Debt

"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Romans 8:12-13)

Before Christ, we owed God a great sin debt. Jesus paid that debt with His life, but now we belong to Him. We've gone from slaves to sin to slaves to righteousness. We were never created to be our own masters—we will always have a master, either Christ or sin.

The difference is clear:

• When sin is our master: death, shame, guilt, and God's wrath

• When Jesus is our master: life, forgiveness, joy, and hope

Living in Service to the King

Our redeemed purpose is to live in service to King Jesus. This means:

• Rebelling against sin and striving for righteousness

• Seeking to obey Christ in all areas of life

• Organizing our lives around Him with a worshipful heart

The Cost of Following Christ

"...provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." (Romans 8:17b)

Living in service to the King comes at a cost. This suffering might include:

• Stepping out of our comfort zone to share the gospel

• Dying to our old self to live in our new self

• Changing how we use our time, talents, and treasures

• Walking in faith during difficult seasons

Living in service to the King is like writing a blank check to Jesus—giving Him access to everything, including our very lives.

How Does the Holy Spirit Restore Our Identity?

The third major role of the Holy Spirit is restoring our identity.

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:14-15)

Through the Holy Spirit, we receive:

Adoption as God's Children

The Spirit of adoption allows us to call God "Abba" (Dad or Daddy). Regardless of your experience with your earthly father, you have a good heavenly Father who loves you more than you could ever know.

Assurance of Our Status

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:16)

The Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation—an unbreakable guarantee that we belong to God.

Inheritance with Christ

"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:17a)

As co-heirs with Christ, we receive what Jesus receives. Just as God declared about Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we too will hear those words because of what Jesus has done for us.

Life Application

In light of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, here are some truths to embrace and questions to consider:

• Embrace your true identity: Nothing you gain or lose in this life changes your status or worth in heaven. You are fiercely loved and accepted already.

• Live from this truth: You don't need to prove anything or fear rejection. Your heavenly Father has already approved of you.

• Ask yourself: Where is there an absence of life in my world? Where is there sin or death that needs the Holy Spirit's restoration?

• Consider: Am I organizing my life around Jesus? Am I walking in obedience to the Spirit?

• Reflect: How am I using my time, talents, and treasures? Do I feel the "pinch" of suffering for Christ?

If you don't yet know God as your Father, you can turn from your sin, trust in Christ, and be adopted by the Father who is waiting to call you His own. If you are in Christ, remember that you are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit—restored to life, repurposed for glory, and renamed as a child of God.