WHO AM I? (GOD – HOLY SPIRIT)

BLOG 4

Why spend so much time concerning the Person of the Holy Spirit? Keep in mind that He is of the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – thus, the triune God.

Let me begin with what is written in John 15:5 “I (Jesus) am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

We must relate this to the “fruit of the Spirit” And consider that without us, He will do nothing! How does one “bear much fruit”? By being filled with the Holy Spirit. What “fruit” are we talking about? We find this fruit in Galatians 5:22,23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Consider that without the first “fruit” (the Holy Spirit’s) love, we cannot accomplish what He has for each of us as it relates to how we think of loving ourselves and others!

As has been discussed in Blog 3, Jesus was getting ready to ascend to the Father and He told the disciples to “go do the things He did while on the earth, but far greater things” . . . not in quality, but in quantity!

Tragically, all too often, we find ourselves “doing” something in the flesh (our carnal state/our doing things on our own) and neglect the guidance of the Holy Spirit! Obviously, it does not mean we are to disregard doing necessary appropriate things in the flesh, for we have been given the ability and common sense to accomplish such things as shopping, keeping ourselves and the house clean, going to work, knowing just what to eat, getting enough sleep, playing a sport, driving, etc.!

Flesh, in this sense, is actually a “carnal state” and “the body as distinguished from the soul.”

Consider a few of the scriptures concerning flesh:

Genesis 6:3, “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he indeed is flesh . . .”

Galatians 5:16,17, “I say then, walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the spirit. For the flesh lusts against the spirit and spirit against the flesh and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

Romans 8:8, “They that are in the flesh cannot please God”

1 Cor 15:50, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.”

However, there is that aspect of the flesh that we must consider and avoid, which is labelled SIN! How are we to deal with sin? Obviously, the topic of sin could well be a blog in and of itself for another time. The scripture at 1 John 1:5-10 is critical to our understanding of sin. Verse 9 provides the most powerful strategy on how to deal with our sin(s). 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Hopefully, you noted the impact of the tiny word “IF” in that verse. Further, I would add we should “immediately” confess our sin(s)! That is like God declaring (after our confession(s)) - “what sins?” For they are caste into the sea to be remembered NO MORE by Him and by us!

Tragically in the body of Christ, there are far too many believers who have been carrying their sins for so many years and years.  Could it be that the Satan is constantly reminding them of these past sins and could well declare “gotcha”? We call this “bondage”! Please keep in mind the promise of the Lord – the moment we confess our sin(s), we are cleansed of “all unrighteous” to be remembered no more. Give thanks for that tiny word “IF”!! Thank You, Lord God Almighty for “setting us free from all that besets us.” As is written in Romans 6:23, we must keep in mind “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Amen and amen.

Praise God for such a blessing and a rescue from our precious Lord!

Therein lies our comfort, peace and realization that “all is right with my soul and with our Lord God Almighty!” Consider what is written in Galatians 5:24,25:

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions     and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Thus, at all costs, avoid the “lust of the flesh” as we crucify the flesh!

Returning to John 15:5, what does “abides in Me” mean? The dictionary meaning is “to rest, dwell or to stand firm”.  (American Dictionary of the English Language – Noah Webster 1828) Thus, it is so crucial that we examine ourselves daily to determine just where we are in “resting, dwelling and standing firm” for our walk with the triune God depends upon it. . . Amen?

Blog 5 will begin with the Jesus telling the disciples that because He is ready to ascend to the Father. He will leave them (us) with another Comforter, Teacher, Helper, Convictor of sins, a Sanctifier (making us into the image of Jesus), who will empower those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Thus, what is the significance of “empowerment”? Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit, or do you need to ask Him to baptize you with His Spirit as Jesus was in the river Jordan? Jesus needed to be empowered in order to begin His 3-year ministry – Matthew 3:16,17; 4:1-11 – and thus His ministry of setting the captives free began! Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow.

If you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, you too have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish what the Holy Spirit has for you to accomplish.

The question must be asked “What ‘fruit’ of the Spirit is at work and, as well, what are the ‘gifts’ of the Spirit that are active in your life?”  The gifts of the Spirit will be discussed in Blog 5.

Why would a born-again Christian not want to have “all that the triune God has for him/her?”

If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, all you have to do, as you did when you were born again, is ask the Holy Spirit to “fill” (baptize) you with His spirit, keeping in mind what the scripture declares in Matthew 21:21,22:

“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, it will be done.’ And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.’”

And then be at peace and allow the Holy Spirit to do His incredible work in you for your life will be so changed for the rest of your life here on earth as you walk as a Spirit-filled child of the living God and less and less in the flesh.

                   BE GLORIFIED, O LORD, BE GLORIFIED 

Consider this request…if these blogs have blessed you over the years, would you share them with others? You might be interested in knowing that these blogs are now being read in 40 plus countries. Pray with me that other countries will be introduced to them as well. It is written in Isaiah 54 “’Enlarge’ the place of your tent and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inhabit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.” Amen?