Wednesday, October 8, 2014

A holy promise, part II


Jesus' holy promise means that the Holy Spirit truly dwells in us. Some people wonder about how the Holy Spirit fills a believer. I saw a quote on the interwebs that said, "The filling....does not mean the believer gets more of the Holy Spirit, but rather the Holy Spirit gets more of the believer."  (Willmington)
If we compare the two passages that these focus verses come from:
             
                "be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18 and following)

                 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:!6 and
                  following)

. . . comparison shows us the to be filled with the Spirit is to be obedient to the Word. Our lives are supernatural -- the life of Christ is lived out in each one of us, by means of the Holy Spirit indwelling us!

Let's look again at verses 18 and 19:

             I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while,
             and the world sees me no more; but you will see me: because I live,
             you will live also.

The word that is translated "comfortless" is "orphanous." (Looks familiar, right?) The news that Jesus was going away was devastating to the disciples, and they felt orphaned. They felt helpless, hopeless, puzzled, and alone. But Jesus is trying to gently encourage them -- He was departing from them physically, yes, but He would be with them in a new way.

In those verses, he said "you see me." That's present tense, and indicates continuing to see Him. And then He said, "I live." Again, that is present tense, and for Christ, that is dateless, timeless, unending life. He was standing within the shadow of the cross; that time was coming soon. But in divine knowledge and confidence, He was assuring them that they would be able to partake of the very life He lived. We live, as the song says, because He lives. And we will live as long as He lives.

The Holy Spirit gives us assurance, too.  "At that day, you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (verse 20)  This promise was "made good" on the day of Pentecost. Remember? The disciples didn't fully comprehend this when these words were spoken in the upper room. But the reality of it was seen at Pentecost, when the disciples were filled with the Spirit, and thousands were saved by their witness.
I don't claim to be a theologian; I can only say that my faith tells me to accept some things I don't fully understand. But I know that Jesus in in His Father; we are in Him, and He is in us. This is a mysterious and beautiful puzzle that I may not fully comprehend, just like the disciples in the upper room. But one day the reality of all of it will be shown to us! In the meantime, my faith tells me to accept that security, and to allow my life to be transformed by His life in me. And that is enough to drive me to my knees in praise and in prayer.

              The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the
               children of God.  (Romans 6:16)

Amen!

3 comments:

  1. Amen, indeed. Thank you Lord, for the gift of grace, the gift of faith and the gift of the Comforter, who dwells within us, who gives us peace and the assurance of our salvation. Thank you, Lord that we are geld in your hands today and always.

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  2. Very good lesson~ Thank you! hugs~

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  3. What in the world would we do without the Holy Spirit? I just don't know how I could cope.

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