License

From Omar Garcia, “The Holy Spirit lives in believers, showing them the pattern and direction for their lives and giving them daily guidance.”

In commenting on the lesson “Led By The Spirit” from Romans 8:1-14, Pastor James McCullen notes the license that’s produced by the Spirit. A license gives “official permission to do something” and for a Christian in relationship with Christ it’s the freedom “that causes righteousness in our daily life”, according to McCullen.

The word license is most often used in Christian circles in a negative sense—as in taking a liberty to a deviate extreme. But in the sense of “given legal permission”, we are free to practice living as a follower of Christ with permission from the Most High God. We can live bonafied Christian lives. Associated with the idea of license is the recipient’s qualification, typically established through training, or education. This makes me think of attempting to live in an unqualified manner.

To live in this way is to operate without a license, or attempt to do something you are not qualified to do on your own. Without the Spirit we are not qualified to live righteously. Discuss the licensed idea with the class using a hole in the head graphic. Paul said the battle is in the mind (Romans 7:23).