Category: Holy Spirit

We know God wants to mold us into the image of his Son. We want to walk as Jesus did, yet we realize as John the Baptist stated, “The one who comes from above is above all: the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth… For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” (Jn 3:31-34)

We marvel that the Father loves us so much that he calls us his children; yet Jesus knew, even before his death and resurrection, that the true followers of the Son would be his representatives on earth until he returned. We look at ourselves and ask, “How so?” But Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you… He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” (Jn 16:7-15 )

As Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit to lead him, so we must depend on the Holy Spirit to lead us. We are members of one body with different functions and different gifts, but the same Spirit is at work for the common good. Our challenge is to humbly drink from the Spirit and walk in unity with God and one another.

Jesus prayed that the unity among the children of God would be just as tight as the unity between the Son and the Father. “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (us), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” ( Jn 17:20-23) ‘God help us participate with Jesus in this great desire of his heart.’

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” I Corinthians 12:13

I won’t be able to write for the next couple of weeks as we’ll be visiting our friends the Hunters in Namibia with a group of high school students. John and Suzanne Hunter started Community Hope School in Windhoek several years ago. They teach over a hundred children who have suffered loss from the terrible AIDS epidemic that has impacted so much of southern Africa.

Our team has prayed mainly for two things in preparation for this long journey. We’ve prayed for unity and we’ve prayed for the Holy Spirit. One of our young men found a verse that we’ve adopted as a theme: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:3)

As is often the case, God gives us concrete revelation regarding the things He asks us to do. The preceding verse gives simple instructions: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Imagine a group of completely humble and gentle believers… full of love and patience. Will there not be unity and peace in such a group? Of course “bearing with one another in love” insinuates that we’re not always so easy to get along with. I know I need people to extend grace to me… and I must surely extend grace to others.

The next verses state a spiritual reality: there is unity in God. There are no unity struggles in Heaven… even though there is much diversity (read Revelation). Paul writes, “There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph 4:4-6)

What glorious truth! God has it all together… there is no division in him! Now we are asked to reflect him on earth. So when a group of twenty Christians go in the Name of Jesus to serve others in a different land, we go as one. We’re different individuals with different gifts and different experiences, but we all have the same Savior. Our Lord gave himself on the cross to restore relationship between God and man. The Holy Spirit abides in each believer to help us… and we all need help. As we let the Spirit have his way in our lives, the love of God shines brightly and a Father says, “Look world, this is what you need! My Son is revealed in the way my children walk with one another. Come and be a part of our family!”

“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5

In 1969 John Lennon and his newlywed wife, Yoko Ono, stayed in bed 8 days in a Montreal hotel interviewing with reporters, receiving friends, and singing: “All we are saying… is give peace a chance.” When asked if they thought their ‘peace protest’ would make a difference, John invited anyone who had a better idea to try it out. One of the friends at the recording of the song was Timothy Leary, a psychologist who promoted the use of psychedelic drugs like LSD. Leary’s idea for peace was captured in his famous phrase: “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Many young people followed such thinking during the 60’s and 70’s, but in the battle of ideas, the most important thing is ‘truth.’

So what is the truth about peace? God knew the only way for there to be ‘peace on earth’ was for man to have peace with him. So the Son was sent, not to condemn but to save. Immanuel came to our world and Jesus became the Gate of peace. Any idea that does not lead to this truth will be short-lived. John Lennon was murdered in 1980 outside the New York City building in which he lived. Timothy Leary died of cancer in 1995 after exploring possibilities of freezing his body for a future resurrection. He finally decided to be cremated and some of his ashes were carried into outer space. Though they spoke and sang about peace, these voices could not deliver. Jesus also died… but he did rise from the dead with true peace as a gift for those who put their faith in him.

“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn 14:26-27) Shortly after these words were spoken the disciples faced pure chaos. One hanged himself, one denied he even knew Jesus, and all deserted him. But after God’s plan was fulfilled: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’… Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you!’… And he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’… A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!… Stop doubting and believe.’” (see John 20:19-29)

For peace to have a chance in my life I must welcome Jesus’ beautiful greeting: “Peace be with you!” For peace to have a chance in my life I must also receive the Holy Spirit. The Counselor reminds us of God’s ways and teaches us to walk with the Lord. For peace to have a chance in my life I must also obey Jesus’ words – a negative command and a positive one: “Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus faced everything we face, but he rested in his Father who he knew to be peace. The enemy wants to steal peace from the children of God, but Jesus promises to be with us… and he is peace.

“You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33

Happy New Year!!!

I asked a new group of students to write what they would most want to gain in my Bible class this semester. The answers reflected an interesting range: “course credit,” “an A,” “something I don’t already know,” “knowledge,” “understanding,” “something relevant,” “stronger faith,” “a deeper relationship with God”… and a few didn’t answer the question. Our answers might not be much different.

Suppose Jesus, Himself, visited your room tonight, sat down on your bed, and asked, “Child, what would you like me to give you this year?” Presently, we would all be tempted to ask God to rescue Haiti, but suppose the question is totally personal. “Ask something for yourself. Do you believe I can give it? Be wise and answer.” None of us would pull the covers over our head and go to sleep! None of us would say to the King of kings, “Just help me survive 2010.”

I’ve thought about this lately. Solomon asked for wisdom, but he didn’t seem to always live wisely. Simeon wanted to see the Messiah, but if Jesus was sitting on my bed that wouldn’t be a good reply. “The Holy Spirit” would be a good answer, but I’m afraid Jesus would say, “Oh son, don’t you know? I’ve already given you the Holy Spirit. He is with you always and lives in you.”

So here’s my answer: “Lord, fill me with the fullness of God.” I’m not even sure I know what the “fullness of God” means, but it must be good. Surely His fullness will jolt me out of mundane living and worldly thinking. This fullness must have something to do with the abundant life Jesus promised. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” “Fullness” will have everything to do with the love of God… which surpasses knowledge. Surely my mind will be expanded to truly believe that “with God all things are possible.” Surely my heart will be more in tune with the needs of the poor and suffering in Haiti, in my city, and in other parts of the world. God’s fullness will lead to Jesus spilling out of my life every day I walk this earth. Yes… this is what I want in 2010.

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21

One son is awestruck, overwhelmed, and possessed by his father’s love. Perhaps various temptations attempted to lure him back to a life of sin, but the thought of ‘the forgiven’ leaving the favor of his dad seems unfathomable. After being so broken and torn, why would we ever run from the hand that welcomed us, forgave us, and healed us? But since we know ourselves, we sing the prayer in the old hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”:

“Oh to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be.
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Never let me wander from Thee, never leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.”

The older brother was not broken or torn… but he was in the worst of shape. Perhaps when you are healthy, rich, smart, or popular you’re in more danger than the sinner in the ditch. “You think you’ve got it all together and don’t need a thing, but I’ll tell you the truth — you’re in a desperate place.” That’s what the wise father could have told his oldest son long before he skipped out on his brother’s party. This brother thought he had been dishonored because his father had shown mercy to his rebellious brother. But he did not really know his father or the meaning of love and compassion. He was consumed with two thoughts from a darkened perspective: how good and deserving he was and how bad and undeserving was his brother.

“Examine yourselves…” the apostle counsels. But we’ve got to examine truthfully. We’ve got to deal with reality. The older brother would have written a glowing self report about his character, his work ethic, and his faithfulness to his father. But what was the truth? What were his motives? This is why we must ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and expose anything that does not line up with the Holy Christ who rescued us. Though everyone should have run to the One who came to save them, John says, “His own did not receive him.” He was unrecognized and unaccepted. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

So is there any difference today? Christians can easily point to sin in the world and say, “The darkness is worse! Look how many reject God!” But the Father is looking first at his own children. Has the Light overcome the darkness? Are members of God’s family more like the older brother in Jesus’ parable or a rescued lamb? Surely God wants humility to describe his household. “But Lord, could you really use me? I’ve been such a wreck. Look how proud I have been and how many times I’ve sinned. I’ve dishonored you so often, how can you call me a chosen one? I don’t deserve…”

“You’ve come to the cross, my child. There you received mercy and grace. I filled you with my Spirit and all your sins are forgiven. You’ve come to me empty-handed… as a little child, and I’ve given you new life. Stay in this surrendered place and walk in my Light. All the world holds dear shall become worthless to you, for you shall see my glory. Eternal life is this: knowing me… true life, true joy, true peace. You are robed in the righteousness of my Son… who perfectly lived out the life I asked him to live and then laid it down. When I look at you, I see him and great joy fills my heart. The day of the great wedding feast is fast approaching; do not be complacent. Be light in your world!”

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” I John 3:1