Will We Allow Him to Reign?

In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul wrote, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Throughout Scripture it is clear that God wants every one of his children to surrender to the reign and rulership of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Spirit’s primary purpose for living within us is to direct and guide us in all that we do.

The Holy Spirit provides absolute and detailed instructions to those who walk with him. When we walk in the Spirit, we don’t walk in confusion or doubt. His direction is clear and distinct. The early disciples of Christ understood this truth, and they allowed the Spirit to direct them in every decision, every move, every action. The Spirit talked to them and guided them in their every waking hour. No decisions were made without first consulting him. The church’s motto throughout the New Testament was, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit has to say.”

You and I have this same opportunity today. The same Spirit that guided the early believers in their walk with the Lord is living within you and me, beckoning us daily to listen, to submit, to heed his will and direction. He promises power and effectiveness beyond our wildest dreams. The only question is, will we allow him to reign?

I am always amazed at how much fun it is to move in the blessing of God. When God directs your path, it is always invigorating and seldom what you might expect. It’s never boring, never predictable, never ordinary, and always refreshing.

In the many decades I have followed God wherever he leads, I have seen him work in ways that are too awesome for words. God has displayed the power of his Spirit and his Word so many times that I have long since given up trying to second-guess him. When the Holy Spirit guides your path, the best you can do is hang on and try your best to keep up. 

Nicky Cruz, internationally known evangelist and prolific author, turned to Jesus Christ from a life of violence and crime after meeting David Wilkerson in New York City in 1958. The story of his dramatic conversion was told first in The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson and then later in his own best-selling book Run, Baby, Run.