Some may hold for “man” to “assume” to know anything about God’s Method(s) of “Operation” of the Universe(s) may be the height of “arrogance” on man’s part. I hold a different view. God made man a reasoning, logically thinking being. In Genesis 1:26 we read these Words of God, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image , according to Our likeness.’” And in Genesis 1:27 we read, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” God made man “in His Own Image.” And, in Isaiah we find the invitation from God Himself to mankind. In Isaiah 1:18 we read, "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, “ Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” Notice God says, “Come let us reason together.” His invitation is for us to reason with “HIM” – together! This is Fellowship with one another – God and man. I believe that God made us to think, to reason, to explore, to search – even to imagine, to dream, to speculate, and to hypothesize. Let’s not forget that one of the reasons that God made man was (and is) for “Fellowship” with HIM! Therefore, “explore” with me God’s “Mode” or “Method(s)” of “Operation” as HE relates to mankind.
Any thinking, or reasoning, or theorizing we do regarding GOD must be based on God’s Word – THE BIBLE! A basic requirement for the true Christian is to accept God’s Word – The Holy Bible – as THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, and He requires that we accept Him and His Word by faith! God’s Word is NOT outdated or obsolete. It is TRUTH – ALL OF IT! And, it is as relevant to us today as ever – GOD DOES NOT CHANGE! Therefore, anything that cannot be verified by His Word – “The Holy Bible” must be discarded. Consequently, I believe that what I will write here can be (and is) verified by God’s Holy Word. The Scriptures that are quoted in this article (unless otherwise noted) come from The New American Standard Version of The Holy Bible.
GOD REVEALS MUCH ABOUT HIMSELF IN HIS WORD.
He reveals Himself as GOD – Supreme above all else. He reveals Himself as THE ONE “TRUE GOD.” He reveals Himself as “THE GREAT I AM” – “THE CREATOR OF ALL,” and commands that we have no other gods before Him! The Apostle John finds that God’s Nature is so much LOVE that he defines GOD AS LOVE! In HIS GREAT LOVE, GOD OFFERS HIS PLAN OF SALVATION TO ALL MANKIND!
FIRST, GOD REVEALS HIMSEL F AS “THE GODHEAD.”
The “GODHEAD” is composed of what we call “THE TRINITY” – three distinct Persons making up The Godhead – yet “ONE.” HE IS THE ONLY “TRUE GOD” – THERE IS NO OTHER GOD! YET, GOD IS “THREE-IN-ONE.” Yes, our reasoning ability is stretched beyond the limit of “human understanding” with this concept. Yet, it is stated clearly by God in His Word. The “Trinity” is clearly referred to in Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Jesus reveals The Trinity in His Great Commission given in Matthew 28:19 " Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Again the Trinity is shown in Ephesians 2:18 where we read, “ for through Him (Jesus Christ) we both have our access in one Spirit (The Holy Spirit) to the Father” (God Our Father). Also In 2 Corinthians 13:14 we read, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” The concept of THE TRINITY runs throughout the Bible. Therefore, it is a “TRUTH” we accept by Faith when it goes beyond our current abilities to understand. So, I accept By Faith in God, His assertion that He is “Three in One”- God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit!
Throughout the Bible God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit are presented as “ONE” GOD yet, as separate and distinct persons.. In all things (and always) Jesus presents Himself as ONE with God The Father. He refers to “being in God the Father” and God The Father “being in Him.” We read the Words of Jesus Himself in John 10:30 "I and the Father are One." We read the Words of Jesus in John 17:5 "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” In 17:10 Jesus states, “And all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine;” We read in John 17:21 “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” And, Jesus Christ states in John 17:22 "The glory which You (God The Father) have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are One;” Jesus always gives every indication that He and The Father are ONE and that His purpose is to do The Will of His Father.
Scripture affirms that Jesus Christ is the exact representation of God The Father. Hebrews 1:3 states, “And He (Jesus Christ) is the radiance of His glory (The Glory of God The Father) and the exact representation of His nature (The Nature of God The Father), and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He (Jesus Christ) had made purification of sins, He sat down at the “Right Hand of the Majesty on High.” In Colossians 1:15 we read these Words, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Thus Jesus Christ is “The Image” of God The Father! Jesus always made it clear that “He was Here” to do the WILL of His Father. In John 4:34 we read, “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.’” In John 5:30 we read, "I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” And in John 6:38 we read, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
And in John In many other verses in The Gospels Jesus Christ testifies that He is from The Father, One with the Father, and His Purpose is to do The Father’s Will.
For us today, (in this New Testament Era – This Church Age in which we live) we can find all things – everything we need in Jesus Christ! Yes, I realize that this is quite a gigantic statement. However, it is true! We read in God’s Word that it pleased God (The Father) to put all things In “His Son – JESUS CHRIST.” We read in Ephesians 1:22 “And He (God The Father) put all things in subjection under His feet” (The feet of Jesus Christ). Also in Matthew 11:27 we read, "All things have been handed over to Me (to Jesus Christ) by My Father (God the Father). In John 3:35 we read, "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.” And, in John 3:31-33 we read, "He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” Clearly, God The Father has entrusted all things into the Hands of Jesus Christ, His Son in this current age (or Era) of The Church.
Even though God The Father has given to Jesus Christ His Son a NAME that is above every other name and placed ALL THINGS in His Hands, Jesus always places Himself in subjection to His Father. In John 10:29 Jesus refers to God His Father as being “Greater than all.” Jesus will ultimately hand over all things (completed) to GOD HIS FATHER! In 1 Corinthians 15:28 we read, “When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One (God The Father) who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” For now – in this current age in which we live – God The Father has place all things in His Son, Jesus Christ. However, Jesus Christ will one day hand everything (completed and fulfilled perfectly) over to God His Father.
SECONDLY, GOD REVEALS HIMSELF AS CREATOR OF ALL.
IN THE BEGINNING GOD CREATED. This is the statement we read in Genesis 1:1-3, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The term “GOD” here refers to The “GODHEAD” OR THE “TRINITY.” The Word continues relating GOD’S Creation of all. For example, in Genesis 1:3 we read, “Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.” Genesis, chapter one continues through verse 25 recounting all of God’s creation. In Genesis 1:26-27 we read, “Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” In verse 26, God says, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Notice the plural for of the pronouns “Us” and “Our.” This language use refers to “The Trinity” – God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit. As I will explain later in this article each member of “The Godhead” (“The Trinity”) has a distinct role to play in all things. Together, the Three “Personages” constitute God – The “Godhead.” All three are always seen working together in Perfect Harmony” and are always involved in taking any singular action.
In Genesis God’s Word speaks of “God Creating All” while in The Gospel of John we read these Words in John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He (Jesus Christ) was in the beginning with God. (3) All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” Notice that verse 1 speaks of Jesus Christ “AS THE WORD” and as being “With God” and “Being God.” Verse 3 indicates that “All things came into being through Him (Jesus Christ), and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” At first glance this scripture may “appear” to contradict the Creation Account in Genesis, Chapter 1. However, a closes study of these scriptures reveals that there is no contradiction at all! Verse 3 states that “apart from Him (Jesus Christ) nothing came into being that has come into being.” We may correctly conclude that nothing came into being without the involvement of all three of the “Personages” of The Trinity. Each One had a Distinct Role to Play.
Yes, GOD created it All – Everything! This “ACT of CREATION” extends to you and me. In the very beautiful passage of Scripture found in Psalms 139:13-14 we read, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. (14) I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” Notice the use of the terms, “YOU FORMED ME” and “YOU WOVE ME.” In Psalms 139:15-16 this account of “our creation” is continued, “My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; (16) Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.” Notice the use of the terms, “WHEN I WAS MADE IN SECRET” and “SKILLFULLY WROUGHT.” The entire chapter 139 of Psalms speaks of God’s Loving “FORMING” or “CREATION” of each one of us in the womb of our mother! YES, GOD CREATED IT ALL!
THIRDLY, GOD REVEALS THROUGHOUT HIS WORD THE “ROLES” THAT EACH MEMBER OF THE GODHEAD PLAY IN OUR LIVES.
He reveals these “Roles” that Each Member of The Godhead plays in His Method(s) of Operation relating to “mankind.” These “Roles” that each Member of The Godhead fills is critical to our relationship to The Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let’s explore these “Roles.”
THE ROLE OF GOD AS OUR “HEAVENLY FATHER:”
In His Earthly Ministry, Jesus portrays GOD AS “FATHER” over and over again. In the Gospels (and especially John) Jesus states many times, “I DID NOT COME TO DO “MY OWN WILL” instead He states, “I CAME TO DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER.” He states several times, “I CAME FROM THE FATHER” and “THE FATHER SENT ME.” And, The New Testament clearly refers to all Christians as “Sons” and “Daughters” of God. We are born into His Family and HE “chooses” us to be His “Sons” and “Daughters.” God is our Father!
Let me take a moment to point out a “false belief” held by many. Many believe that God is the “Father” of all people – of everyone. This is FALSE! God is NOT THE FATHER OF EVERYONE. He is CREATOR OF EVERYONE. HE IS FATHER ONLY TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE JESUS CHRIST BY BELIEF AND TRUST IN HIM – BY RECEIVING JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR AND THEREBY BECOMING “CHILDREN OF GOD” – “BEING BORN AGAIN AND ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD.”
Thus far, we have seen God The Father and Jesus Christ The Son as “ONE.” Yet, we have seen Jesus as always subjecting Himself to The Will of God The Father. The Source of ALL is God The Father. Jesus came to the earth as “THE EXACT REPRESENTATION OF GOD THE FATHER.” (Hebrews 1:3) Jesus presents Himself and His Purpose “TO CARRY OUT THE WILL AND PURPOSE OF GOD THE FATHER.” In John 5:30 Jesus stated,
"I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” Again in John 6:38 Jesus said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
The Bible makes it clear that God is in CONTROL OF ALL THINGS and THAT HIS WILL AND PURPOSE WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED IN ALL THINGS! There are two very specific additional “Purposes” that GOD THE FATHER has in relation to mankind in this “Church Era” of time. These are to “Fit His Children for Heaven” and to demonstrate His “Divine Wisdom – His Plan and His Purpose – through the CHURCH – and that is through you and me!
GOD THE FATHER’S ROLE IN RELATION TO MANKIND:
GOD OUR FATHER’S FIRST PRIORITY RELATING TO MANKIND IS SALVATION:
God’s Purpose and plan to “fit us for His Kingdom” begins with His redemption of us. To accomplish this, God’s Plan of Redemption involved sending His Son, Jesus Christ to this world to be our Savior and Lord. The Bible states that He (Jesus Christ) laid aside His Glory for a time and put on a “robe of flesh.” Conceived in The Womb of The Virgin Mary by The Holy Spirit, Jesus was born as a human baby in the town of Bethlehem. Around thirty years of age He began His earthly ministry after being baptized by John The Baptist in the river Jordan and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. He went about preaching, teaching, and healing until the time came for Him to fulfill His Purpose in coming to earth – to go to the cross – to lay down His Life – to spill His Blood – as the Perfect Sacrifice for Mankind! There on the cross, He paid for ALL SIN, FOR ALL MANKIND, FOR ALL TIME! His lifeless Body was taken down from the cross, placed in a “barrowed” tomb, and on the third day was raised from that tomb by The Power of God – The Holy Spirit. God’s Perfect Plan of Redemption of mankind was now in place.
The New Testament is replete with statements indicating that God’s first priority relating to mankind is for every person to be SAVED – to be BORN AGAIN – to BECOME A CHILD OF GOD THE FATHER. In 2 Peter 3:9 we read, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Yes, God’s Desire is for everyone to be saved. This is further shown in the Words of Jesus in John 3:14-17 where we read, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; (15) so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. (16) "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (17) "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” Yes, God desires that all persons accept His “Free Gift of Salvation.” However, God created mankind with the “ability to chose freely.” Therefore, each person must voluntarily choose JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD! This means that a person has to be convicted of his sin – his “lost condition” by God The Holy Spirit and respond to that by confessing his sins, repenting of his sins, asking Jesus Christ to come into his heart, and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord into his/her life.
Allow me to digress for a moment to address a false and very dangerous “false belief” that has recently resurfaced. This is the false doctrine that says “everyone will be saved.” This false doctrine continues to state that God is a “God of Love” and would never send anyone to hell!” As is true of all the devil’s lies this contains some truth with an injection of lies! Yes, God is “LOVE.” Yes, God desires that every person become His Child by trusting in and receiving Jesus Christ as savior and Lord. Th par of the “false doctrine” that is a lie is the last statement, “God would never send anyone to hell.” The fact is that GOD SENDS NO ONE TO HELL! Every person who “REJECTS JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD” sends himself/herself to hell. Another false doctrine says that we will get to Heaven by other ways such as our “church membership,” our “works,” our “family connections,” or “living a ‘good life.’” Let me emphasize a very important TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD! JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE AND THE ONLY WAY TO BE “SAVED” AND THUS BECOME A CHILD OF GOD AND HAVE A HOME IN HEAVEN FOR ETERNITY!
Thus, this “Choosing Jesus Christ as SAVIOR AND LORD” and “RECEIVING HIM INTO OUR LIFE AS SAVIOR AND LORD” marks the beginning of our “Christian Walk” and the beginning of “THE WORK OF GOD THE FATHER” on us, in us, and through us! His goal for us from this point forward is to work on us and in us to “CONFORM” us to the VERY IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST – TO MAKE US JUST LIKE HIS SON – PERFECT IN EVERY WAY! This sounds like something to wonderful to be true but IT IS TRUE! When God The Father is finished with His Work in us and on us, we WILL BE PERFECT IN EVERY WAY. This point is made in such Bible Passages as Romans 8:29, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and as stated in 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” Many additional scriptures speaking to this point are listed at the end of this article.
Allow me to point out that this Work of God in us and on us will not be completed until we leave these fleshly, sinful bodies and find ourselves in His Presence forever. However, God will finish His Work! As the Apostle Paul stated in Philippians 1:6, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He (God Our Father) who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” We can trust God! His Promises will not fail! Every Promise He Made, He will fulfill perfectly!
GOD OUR FATHER PRESENTS HIMSELF AS OUR PROVIDER:
The Bible states, “All things come from God, The Father.” In James 1:17 we read, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” God’s Word is abundant with references to God, Our Father as “Provider.” In Philippians 4:19 we read, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (NASU) All things come from God – Our Father! He is THE SOURCE OF ALL THINGS!” In James 1:17 we read, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (NASU) Jesus told a Parable in Matthew 7:7-12 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
(8) "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (9) "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? (10) "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
(11) "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Notice that Jesus speaks of God The Father “Knowing” so much better than we do, how to give “Good Gifts” to His Children.
We can know, at least in a small way, how much it pleases God The Father (AS OUR HEAVENLY FATHER) to give generously, and even lavishly, to His Children. The Apostle Paul stated in Ephesians 3:17-21 “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (20) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think , according to the power that works within us.” Here we note in verse 20 that God is “ABLE” to “DO FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND ALL THAT WE CAN ASK OR THINK!” We need to realize that GOD OUR FATHER DESIRES TO LAVISH UPON US AS HIS CHILDREN MARVELOUS AND ABUNDANT GIFTS! And, we need to also remember that GOD OUR FATHER owns it all (Psalms 24). EVERYTHING IS HIS TO GIVE AS HE DESIRES!
GOD OUR FATHER PRESENTS HIMSELF AS OUR PROTECTOR:
God delights in “Being Our Protector.” In 2 Thessalonians 3:3 we read these Words, “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” In Proverbs 5:21 we read, “For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.” And again in Proverbs 16:17 we read, “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.” In Psalms 41:1-3 we read, “How blessed is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble. (2) The LORD will protect him and keep him alive.” Yes, GOD OUR FATHER IS OUR PROTECTOR! He never “slumbers or “sleeps” – HE IS EVER WATCHFUL OVER THOSE OF US WHO ARE HIS CHILDREN.
Several additional scriptures show GOD as Our Protector. Psalms 121:5-8 states, “The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. (6) The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. (7) The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. (8) The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.” What a beautiful passage and promise concerning God as Our “Father Protector.” Other scriptures that shows this truth are found in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” In Proverbs 5:21 we read, “For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.” And in Proverbs 16:17 we read, “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He (God Our Father) who watches his way preserves his life.” Yes, God Our Father is our Protector! He watches over us to “keep us” night and day!
We need to remember that the promises of God’s Protection and Provisions are predicated on our trusting Him. In Proverbs 3:5-6 we read, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” In Psalms 37:3-7 we read, “Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. (4) Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. (5) Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” In Proverbs 3:9-10 we read, “Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; (10) So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.” And in Isaiah 26:4 we read, "Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” We can trust in The LORD – in GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER – OUR PROTECTOR AND OUR PROVIDER! HE IS EVER FAITHFUL – HE CANNOT FAIL!
GOD OUR FATHER PRESENTS HIMSELF AS LOVE:
LOVE is so much The Character of God The Father that He defines Himself as LOVE. In 1 John 4:8 we read, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” This is reaffirmed in 1 John 4:16, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” Yes, GOD is so much LOVE that HE becomes the very definition of it!
The extent of God’s LOVE is shown in the often quoted verses from John 3:16-17 where we read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (17) "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” A careful study of THE LOVE OF GOD shows that His LOVE is CONSTANT and does not change. I am convinced that we can confidently make the following two statements. We can do nothing that will make GOD LOVE us more! We can do nothing that will make GOD LOVE us less! HIS LOVE is based on HIS CHARACTER, NOT ON OUR BEHAVIOR! LOVE is the highest goal! In 1 Corinthians 13:4-13, we read these attributes of LOVE, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, (5) does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, (6) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; (7} bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (8) Love never fails.” In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we see LOVE elevated above everything else in this statement, “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Love is SUPREME above all – GOD IS LOVE – GOD IS SUPREME!
We are most fortunate to be the recipients of THE LOVE OF GOD OUR FATHER. His love is AMAZING, WONDERFUL, COMPLETE, and FREELY GIVEN. The Bible describes this “GOD LOVE” as “The Perfect Bond of Unity,” and states that “Perfect Love cast our all fear! Because GOD INDWELLS US, we can LOVE others with this LOVE OF GOD – this “GOD LOVE.” As we submit to The Leading of The Holy Spirit – as we submit to The LORDSHIP of JESUS CHRIST IN OUR LIVES, GOD’S LOVE FLOWS FROM US TO BLESS OTHERS. We cannot hope to ever LOVE others as God desires for us to do without GOD HIMSELF LOVING IN US AND THROUGH US! LOVE IS SUPREME ABOVE ALL ELSE!
GOD OUR FATHER PRESENTS HIMSELF AS MERCY:
MERCY, what a wonderful attribute of GOD OUR FATHER! The term we see used in some versions of The Bible is “LONGSUFFERING,” in other translations the term used is “MERCY.” The two terms are used interchangeably. The Psalmist David uses this term in abundance. In Psalms 136:1-2 we see this refrain occurring over and over again, “ Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (2) Give thanks to the God of gods, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” David expresses his “thankfulness” for God’s “Mercy – “His Lovingkindness” over and over again!”
The MERCY of God is sometimes defined as “GOD NOT GIVING US WHAT WE DO DESERVE.” Remember, the Bible states that the “wages of sin is death.” This is what we deserve as sinful mankind – death! Thank God, (in His GREAT MERCY) He has showered us with HIS MERCY INSTEAD OF JUSTICE. JUSTICE demands our death; GOD’S MERCY EXTENDS HIS FORGIVENESS BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST PAID FOR ALL OUR SIN!
I am deeply grateful for God’s Mercy and the fact that it is from “everlasting to everlasting” – His Mercy never ends, His Mercy never runs out. Lamentations 3:22-23 reads, “The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. (23) They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” And in 1 Chronicles 16:34 we read, “O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” And in the passage from the beloved 23rd Psalm, verse 6, we read this promise, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness (Mercy) will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” An often quoted scripture from Lamentations 3:22-23 is especially precious. It reads, “The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. (23) They are new every morning ; Great is Your faithfulness.” Praise God, He provides a new fresh supply of MERCY every day for us and it never runs out! HIS MERCY is indeed “from everlasting to everlasting!”
In Psalms 145:9 we read, “The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His Works.” His MERCY permeates everything He does and is extended to all who will receive it! In Psalms 57:9-10 we read “I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. (10) For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens And Your truth to the clouds.” And, in Psalms 33:5 we read these Words, “He (GOD) loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Yes, GOD’S GREAT MERCY IS OVER ALL – OVER EVERYTHING - EVERYWHERE!
God’s Mercy (His “Lovingkindness”) working together with His Grace means that we not only are forgiven of our sins by His Mercy, it also means that we are cleansed of all sin and Blessed (Favored) by His Grace. Then, God fills us with His Righteousness – Himself! Out of HIS GREAT LOVE WE ARE FORGIVEN, CLEANSED, FILLED WITH HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND COMPLETELY RESTORED TO FULL FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM! In Psalms 86:5 we read this promise, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” God’s GREAT MERCY is available to everyone who will call on HIM! Let’s remember (and utilize) God’s Wonderful Promise to us as recorded in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God doesn’t stop with His “Cleansing of our sins.” His next step is to fill us with HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS – WITH HIMSELF. Note that our role in this process is to genuinely confess our sins, ask for God’s Forgiveness and accept His Forgiveness, Cleansing, and Filling with His Righteousness – with HIMSELF! One cannot realize this amazing truth without shouting “Hallelujah!”
GOD OUR FATHER PRESENTS HIMSELF AS GRACE:
John Newton wrote the song, “AMAZING GRACE” AND INDEED GOD’S GRACE IS AMAZING! GOD’S GRACE is sometimes defined as “GOD GIVING US WHAT WE DON’T DESERVE.” Grace is God’s FAVOR shown to us out of HIS GREAT COMPASSION! We cannot earn it! In fact, there is nothing we can ever do to deserve it! Yes, it is always undeserved on our part yet, given to us freely by GOD! Out of His Great Compassion, He gives Eternal Life to those who will choose Jesus Christ!
God’s Grace is perhaps demonstrated best in His Plan of Salvation. In Ephesians 2:4-5 we read, (4) “ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” And is Ephesians 2:8-9 we read, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” As you can see, Mercy and Grace go “hand-in-hand.” God’s Great Love make both possible!
GOD OUR FATHER PRESENTS HIMSELF AS JUSTICE:
Yes, GOD is THE GOD of JUSTICE. His CHARACTER demands Justice. Yet, He does not give us justice. Instead, He extends to us HIS MERCY, HIS GRACE, AND HIS LOVE! God’s JUSTICE awaits all those who reject Jesus Christ The Son as their Savior. For those of us who accept Jesus Christ as Savior, JUSTICE has already been served and Jesus Christ paid the “debt” for us on The Cross of Calvary! This is the AMAZING TRUTH OF GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION. All of our sins were placed upon Jesus Christ at The Cross of Calvary and He paid for all sin, for all mankind, for all time with HIS OWN LIFE AND BLOOD! Our sins have already been judged – Justice has already been served, and the penalty has been paid by Jesus Christ! As The Apostle Paul stated in Romans 8:1-4 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. (3) For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, (4) so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” As Christians we are NOT UNDER CONDEMNATION – WE ARE UNDER GRACE! WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE!
However, for those who reject Jesus Christ as Savior and go into eternity in their sins, only judgment awaits them. We are shown their final fate in Revelation 20:10-15, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (11) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. (12) And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. (14) Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire . This is the second death, the lake of fire. (15) And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” This is referred to as “THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT and it reveals the final destination of all who reject Jesus Christ as Savior. For the poor souls, JUSTICE IS SERVED!
GOD OUR FATHER PRESENTS HIMSELF AS ONE WHO BLESSES:
God dearly loves to bless us! He wants to pour out His Blessings upon Us! He wants to “Lavish” His Blessings upon us. So, He tells us clearly in His Word how to receive HIS BLESSINGS! Jesus stated this very plainly in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Here is THE KEY TO OUR BEING BLESSED BY GOD – FIRST GIVE! Yes, we must sow before we can reap! Remember the three laws of sowing and reaping. They are (1) We reap what we sow! (2) We reap more than we sow!
(3) We reap sometime after we sow – if we faint not! In 2 Corinthians 9:6 we read “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
God clearly states that He desires (and is able) to give abundantly to us as His Children. In 2 Corinthians 9:8 we read “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” And, in 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 we read “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; (11) you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.” God desires to “supply” and “multiply” His “Sees” for “SOWING” Notice that God’s Purpose in giving to us (and in multiplying it) is for us to be able to have an abundance to give to others in need – NOT TO SELFISHLY USE IT FOR OURSELVES! Remember, Jesus stated, “Out of your innermost being shall flow RIVERS of Living Water.” The more we allow God’s Blessings to flow from us to others, the more God can flow His Blessings into us!
ADDITIONAL BLESSINGS: GOD OUR FATHER BLESSES US MORE AND MORE.
Are there other blessings that God provides? The answer is YES! A wonderful promise is given to us in the prayer of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:16-21 where we read, “that He (God Our Father) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (20) Now to Him (God Our Father) who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power (The Holy Spirit) that works within us, (21) to Him (God Our Father) be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” This beautiful passage from God’s Word shows the cooperative Work of God Our Father, of Jesus Christ Our Savior and Lord, and God The Holy Spirit. They are All Working for OUR GOOD! And, Note in verse 20 that He (God Our Father) IS ABLE TO DO FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY BEYOND ALL THAT WE CAN ASK OR THINK! God has blessings in store for us that we can’t even imagine in our wildest dreams! PRAISE GOD!!
THE ROLE OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON:
FIRST AND FOREMOST, JESUS CHRIST THE SON IS THE WAY!
We get a clear picture of the Purpose and “ROLE” of Jesus when He states in John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus presents Himself as “THE WAY” to God The Father. In fact, He states, “No one comes to The Father but by Me.” Note that this statement includes the Words “THE WAY.” Jesus Christ The Son is NOT “A WAY” OF MANY. Instead HE IS “THE ONLY WAY.” YES, There is only “ONE WAY” TO God The Father and that is THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THE SON. This truth is underscored in Ephesians 2:18 where we read, “for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.” We clearly have access to God The Father only through Jesus Christ The Son. For this reason we pray to God The Father in The Name of Jesus Christ the Son! We send our Praise, our Thanks, our Worship, and our requests to God Our Father through Jesus Christ The Son – Our Lord and Savior. And EVERYTHING COMES TO US FROM GOD OUR FATHER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THE SON!
A major “ROLE” of Jesus is to carry out THE WILL OF THE FATHER. He does this in large measure by being the “Only Way” for us to access The Father – we must go to The Father by going through Jesus The Son. This is so very important for us to realize, to observe, and to practice daily! This brings us to the second major role of Jesus in our lives.
A SECOND MAJOR ROLE AND PURPOSE OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON IS TO ALWAYS SUBJECT HIMSELF TO THE WILL OF THE FATHER AND HIS PURPOSE IS TO DO THE FATHER’S WILL!
Jesus Christ clearly presents Himself as Being in Subjection to the Will of His Father. In John 5:30 we read the Words of Jesus, "I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” And in John 6:38 we again read the Words of Jesus, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will , but the will of Him who sent Me.” When Jesus was faced with His upcoming arrest and crucifixion, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane as recorded in Luke 22:39, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." In all things (and always) Jesus submits Himself to The Will of His Father God.
A THIRD MAJOR ROLE OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON IS “SAVIOR OF MANKIND!
This is a critically important ROLE for us that Jesus Christ fills – THE SAVIOR OF MANKIND! HE IS OUR REDEEMER!
In one of the most beautiful scriptures in God’s Word, John 3:16-17, we read these most Precious Words,
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (17) "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” Here we see the Great Love of God The Father toward mankind and His Purpose in sending His Only Begotten Virgin Born Son, Jesus Christ, into the world – to BE THE SAVIOR OF MANKIND. God so wanted to REDEEM mankind that HE GAVE HIS VIRGIN BORN ONLY BEGOTTEN SON TO BE THE PERFECT SACRIFICE TO PAY SIN’S DEBT FOR ALL MANKIND! Chapters 7 through 10 of Hebrews do such a wonderful job of telling the beautiful story of Jesus Christ as The Perfect Sacrifice paying FOR ALL SIN, FOR ALL MANKIND, FOR ALL TIME! Hebrews (This is a wonderful place and time to SHOUT HALLELUJAH – PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!)
JESUS IS ETERNAL LIFE! In order to gain Eternal Life we must find it in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not something that we get from Jesus, rather we find it in Him and in Him alone! He is OUR SAVIOR AND THERE IS NO OTHER SAVIOR BESIDES HIM! Let’s be very clear! In order to gain salvation several things must take place in one’s life.
***** First, the Holy Spirit must convict the person of his/her lost condition – that
he/she is a sinner in desperate need of a Savior.
***** Second, we must confess and repent of our sin – we must renounce it.
***** Third, we must ask Jesus Christ to come into our “heart” and “life” and
become our Savior.
***** Fourth, we must accept Jesus Christ into our “heart” and “life” as SAVIOR AND LORD! At this point we are BORN AGAIN spiritually! We were SPIRITUALLY DEAD in our trespasses and sins but now we are made SPIRITUALLY ALIVE IN JESUS CHRIST! We become a “Child” of God – we become a “Citizen of Heaven – we become a “New Creation” in Christ Jesus! We are now part of THE CHURCH – THE BODY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST – HE IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH – HIS BODY!
WE MUST BELIEVE IN AND ON JESUS CHRIST and ACCEPT HIM AS OUR SAVIOR AND LORD to truly begin our “journey” as a “Christian.” We need to remember the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. (14) "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Notice that Jesus said “MANY” go in the broad gate that leads to destruction (HELL) and that “FEW” enter through the “Narrow Gate” that leads to Eternal Life (HEAVEN). We need to be certain of our Salvation. We can be certain.
In Romans 8:15-16 we read these Words, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, " Abba! Father!" (16) The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,” THE HOLY SPIRIT TESTIFIES TO OUR HUMAN SPIRIT THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD! This is one way that WE CAN KNOW THAT WE ARE SAVED!
A FOURTH MAJOR ROLE OF JESUS CHRIST IS TO BE OUR LORD!
Beginning with our “Birth into God’s Family,” God’s Plan is for us as Christians (as His Children) is to live lives of submission to The Lordship of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. JESUS CHRIST IS OUR LORD! The only way that we can do The Will of God is for us to submit to The Lordship of Jesus Christ in our daily living and allow Jesus to Perform God’s Will in us and through us! It is impossible for us “TO DO THE WILL OF GOD” in our human strength and wisdom. Allow me to repeat this truth – IT IS IMPOSSIBLE! Therefore, if we are to truly do God’s Works, we must allow Jesus to do them in us and through us! We must allow Him to be LORD in our lives!
God’s Plan for Jesus to be Lord of our lives is illustrated in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” We are “CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS. We are “IN HIM FOR GOOD WORKS” – TO DO GOOD WORKS. And, these are THE FATHER’S WORKS WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. These are the father’s Works performed BY JESUS CHRIST IN US AND THROUGH US! HE IS OUR LORD!
I’m convinced that this is where many are “missing the mark” today. Many seem to be happy to accept Jesus Christ as SAVIOR but refuse to allow Him to truly be LORD of their lives. As human beings who are born with a sin nature – a fallen nature, we want desperately to run our own lives – to run our own “railroad – to do things “my way.” I believe that Jesus spoke of these kind of deceived souls in Matthew 7:21-23 when He said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (22) " Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' (23) "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YO U WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'” Here Jesus presents a picture of “MANY” who are deceived into thinking that they are “performing mighty deeds for Jesus” when they are simply doing their “OWN THING.” Note that Jesus states that these individuals where PRACTICING LAWLESSNESS” – they were sinning and were sinners! Jesus said to them, “DEPART FROM ME” – I NEVER KNEW YOU! How sad! These poor souls are deceived by themselves – by demons – by the world. I’m very concerned that this MAY VERY WELL BE THE DEVIL’S MOST SUCCESSFUL TATIC TO DECEIVE MANY AND LEAD THEM INTO HELL ITSELF! Let’s surrender to THE LORSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST IN OUR LIVES DAILY - LET’S ALLOW HIM TO PERFORM GOD’S WORK IN US AND THROUGH US – TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO OUR GOOD!
A FIFTH MAJOR ROLE OF JESUS CHRIST IS HEAD OF HIS CHURCH.
This truth is closely associated with Jesus as LORD! Jesus being “LORD” is on a personal, individual level and Jesus being “HEAD” is on a “corporate” level. When we are “Born again” we become part of “THE CHURCH” – THE “BODY OF CHRIST, of which HE IS THE HEAD! Ephesians 1:22 shows that God The Father placed Jesus Christ The Son as Head of The Church, “And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,” In Ephesians 4:15 this headship is affirmed, “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head , even Christ,” In Ephesians 5:23 we read, ”For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.” And, in Colossians 1:18 we see this stated clearly, “He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” Christ is HEAD of The Church – HIS CHURCH – HIS BRIDE!
Jesus Christ is HEAD of The Church and we as “Christians” – “Disciples of Christ” – “Children of God The Father, are members of HIS BODY – THE CHURCH! The Apostle Paul speaks of us as “members of The Body The Church. In 1 Corinthians 6:15 he asks the question, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?” In 1 Corinthians 12:12 we read, “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. And, in 1 Corinthians 12:27 we read this emphatic statement, “Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.” Yes, we are “members of The Church – THE BODY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
I have to wonder just how many “churches” have JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR HEAD.” It seems to me that many “churches” have “human heads” in the form of a “pastor,” a “priest,” “elders,” “deacons,” or perhaps a dominate family controlling the “church.” If this is the case, then Jesus is NOT HEAD OF SUCH A CHURCH AND IT IS NOT A TRUE CHURCH. It is simply an “organization “playing church.” A “TRUE CHURCH” CAN HAVE ONLY ONE HEAD AND THAT HEAD MUST BE JESUS CHRIST!
A SIXTH MAJOR ROLE OF JESUS CHRIST IS YET FUTURE - TO BE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS:
Yes, Jesus Christ will return to this earth at GOD’S APPOINTED TIME TO BE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS OVER ALL! The Bible tells us that He will rule this earth form Jerusalem for 1000 years – the millennial reign of Christ! After that He will rule from Heaven for all Eternity! PRAISE GOD!!
Jesus Christ came to earth around 2000 years ago as the “Suffering Servant” – as “The Lamb of God” – to be the Perfect Sacrifice” for all sin. He fulfilled that Purpose and returned to sit down at The Father’s Right Hand. Romans, Chapter 8 presents Him as seated there interceding for us before The Father. There will come that time when God The Father will say to God The Son, “IT IS NOW TIME FOR YOU TO GO GET YOUR BRIDE – THE CHURCH! Some seven years after this event, JESUS CHRIST WILL COME BACK TO THE EARTH AS THE CONQUERING KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. The first time Jesus Christ came as “The Sacrificial Lamb.” HE IS COMING BACK AS THE “LION OF JUDAH” – KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!
THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE THIRD PERSON OF THE GODHEAD!
THE ROLE OF THE HOLY:
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RECOGNIZED AS THE THIRD MEMBER (OR PERSON) OF THE TRINITY! We might very well refer to this current age in which we live as “The Age of THE HOLY SPIRIT.” We live in “THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA” – “THE CHURCH AGE” and this “AGE” or “ERA” began when THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME TO INDWELL EVERY CHRISTIAN AT “PENTECOST.” From that date forward the Holy Spirit comes to permanently indwell every “TRUE BELIEVER” at the moment of “SALVATION.” Remember that “Pentecost” occurred 50 days after the “Crucifixion Passover” when Jesus Christ was crucified as GOD’S SUPREME SACRIFICE TO PAY SIN’S DEBT FOR MANKIND!
Before “PENTECOST” THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD BEEN VERY ACTICE IN THE AFFAIRS OF GOD AND MAN BUT HAD NOT PERMANENTLY INDWELT A PERSON. In the Old Testament Period of time we see The Holy Spirit coming “UPON” a person to empower that person to perform some special task that God had called him/her to perform. We see David praying to God, “Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me,” indicating that it was indeed possible for The Holy Spirit to depart from David. Today, THE HOLY SPIRIT PERMANENTLY INDWELLS EVERY TRUE BELIEVER – EVERY CHILD OF GOD!
THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES TODAY:
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENTED IN THE BIBLE AS THE VERY POWER OF GOD!
The Holy Spirit is spoken of in God’s Word as “THE POWER OF GOD.” It is then by The Holy Spirit and The Power of The Holy Spirit that all of God’s Works are performed! In Micah 3:8 we read, “On the other hand I am filled with power — With the Spirit of the LORD.” In Luke 4:14-15 we read, “And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.” Jesus performed His Ministry on earth in The Power of The Holy Spirit. In Acts 10:38 we read, "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power.”
As “True Christians” – True Believers in The Lord Jesus Christ, we live and walk in this same Power – the Power of The Holy Spirit within us! In Acts 1:8 we read, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Allow me to take a moment here to point out that we walk and live daily in The Power of The Holy Spirit within us and also by The “All Authority” of Our Lord Jesus Christ! In The Great Commission give to us by Jesus as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 we read these Words, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’" Here we are “commissioned” to “GO and MAKE DISCIPLES” in “THE FULL AUTHORITY OF JESUS CHRIST” AND THAT IS ALL THE AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH! Notice that we are to “Baptize” them in THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT! In other words, “THE TRINITY.” We “GO” as “AMBASSADORS” of “THE GODHEAD” with “ALL THE POWER” and “ALL THE AUTHORITY” OF ALL THAT IS GOD!
In the latter part of The Old Testament, God states that He will do His Work by God The Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 9:7 7 we read, “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” Also in Isaiah 37:32 we read, "For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." We can define “ZEAL” as THE FERVENT DESIRE OF THE HEART OF GOD. The whole Purpose of God The Holy Spirit is to PERFORM THE DESIRE OF GOD THE FATHER! Let’s remember, As “The Very Power of God,” The Holy Spirit takes what comes from God The Father through Jesus Christ The Son and “Activates” it or “Manifests” it in us and through us so that we are “Doing The Will of God” – “Doing The Works of God.”
It is important to note that Jesus Christ The Son DID NOT BEGIN His Earthly Ministry UNTIL The Holy Spirit descended upon Him and rested (stayed) upon HIM! In Luke 3:21-22 we read this account, “Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, (22) and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, " You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased." From this point in time, Jesus moved in His Earthly Ministry in THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT. In Luke 4:1-2 we read, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness (2) for forty days, being tempted by the devil. From This point of His initiation into His Earthly Ministry, Jesus walked in THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
These instructions given to The Disciples by Jesus in Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." This statement by Jesus was made to His Disciples and Followers on The Mount of Olives just outside of the city of Jerusalem on the day Christ ascended back to GOD THE FATHER. Jesus had told them He would “Pray The Father” to send The Power – The Holy Spirit, AFTER He left. The Holy Spirit came to “INDWELL BELIEVERS” ten days later on THE DAY of PENTECOST. This is the reason Jesus told His followers to “WAIT FOR THE COMING AND INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEM.” This “Power of The Spirit” was absolutely necessary for then to function as “messengers” – as “instruments” of The Lord Jesus Christ! The same is true for us today except that we receive The Holy Spirit at the moment of our Salvation! God Our Father “Gives HIM” to us as “HIS SEAL” upon us for all Eternity! He never departs from us!
Yes, we too are to live and walk daily in “THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!” We are told in Romans 8:5-8 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (7) because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, (8) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” And, in Romans 8:14 we read, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” We are to submit to The Lordship of Jesus Christ and the Leading of The Holy Spirit.
THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO DO THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER AS THE “VERY POWER OF GOD.”
As The Very Power of God The Holy Spirit is “THE ACTIVATER’ of The Will of God on this earth. He is here to “activate” The Will and Purpose of God The Father. Nothing happens except by the “ACTIVATING POWER” of The Holy Spirit. God’s Angel stated in Zechariah 4:6, “Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts.” It is The Role of The Holy Spirit to “IMPLEMENT” GOD’S PURPOSE AND HIS WILL ON THE EARTH.
Let’s take a moment here to clarify the Roles of The Three Persons of The Godhead as they relate to One Another! First, all things come to us from God The Father. All things come to us from God The Father THROUGH God The Son. All things that come to us from God The Father and Through Jesus The Son are “ACTIVATED” in us – “MANIFESTED” in us, by The Holy Spirit. The reverse is also true. Everything we “GIVE” to God The Father and/or to Jesus Christ The Son is taken by The Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ the Son and everything that goes on to God The Father passes THROUGH Jesus Christ The Son to God The Father. This is the “ORDER OF OPERATING” of The Godhead relating to us.
As you can see, The Holy Spirit is THE POWER in which we are to live and walk daily and we must “Walk in This Power” in order to fulfill God’s Will and Purpose in our lives. As the Bible points out in numerous places, we can choose to “Walk in The Spirit” or “walk in the flesh.” As Romans 8:5-9 states, “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (7) because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, (8) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, (The Holy Spirit) he does not belong to Him.” This scripture makes it abundantly clear that if we allow “the flesh” to lead us, we’ll do “the things of the flesh and thus cannot please God!
Romans 8:14 makes this point very clear, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES:
Jesus shares many of The Roles that The Holy Spirit fills in our lives in John 16:5-15
(5) "But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ' Where are You going?' (6) "But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. (7) "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. Here Jesus presents The Holy Spirit as “Our Comforter – Our Helper! Jesus continues in John 16:8- 11, "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; (9) concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; (10) and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; (11) and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged” Here Jesus presents The Holy Spirit as “Our convicter of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.” Jesus continues to explain the function of The Holy Spirit in John 16:13-15 where He states, (13) "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (14) "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. (15) "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” Here Jesus presents The Holy Spirit as our Guide into all Truth, as speaking The Words Of God The Father, as One who will reveal to us what is to come, and as One who takes of Jesus and discloses Him to us.
PRESENTING JESUS CHRIST: THE FIRST ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES:
The first role of the Holy Spirit as He relates to us is to “reveal” Jesus Christ to us. Jesus Himself stated in John 16:13-15, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (14) "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. (15) "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” Notice that Jesus stated that “He (The Holy Spirit) would not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears He will speak.” Jesus continued in verse (15), “He (The Holy Spirit) will take of Mine and disclose it to you.” In John 14:26 Jesus stated, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Again, Jesus reveals this role of the Holy Spirit in John 15:26 where He states, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.” The Principal Role of The Holy Spirit as He relates to us is to “reveal” Jesus Christ to us! (Let’s remember that the Principal Purpose of Jesus Christ as He relates to us is to “reveal” God The Father to us.)
CONVICTIONG OF SIN: THE SECOND ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES:
In John 16:7-8 we read these Words of Jesus, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. (8) "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” This very important role of The Holy Spirit is critical to every human being on earth. Every person must be “CONVICTED” of their sin before he/she can recognize and comprehend that he/she is a sinner in need of Jesus as Savior. No person can convict another of his/her sin. Only The Holy Spirit can do that. I learned a long time ago in my Christian Journey that I was wasting my time to “witness” to anyone UNLESS the Holy Spirit was working in that person’s heart convicting that person of his/her “Dead in Sins” condition. I believe our first prayer for any “LOST PERSON” IS TO ASK FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT to Convict that person of his/her sinful (lost) condition. I am convinced that no person will every truly see that he/she is a sinner in need of a Savior, and as a result of this “conviction” chose Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, UNLESS The Holy Spirit has first worked in his/her heart to convict of SIN AND THE RESULTING LOST CONDITION!
COMFORTING (HELPING) US: THE THIRD ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES:
In John, chapter 14 Jesus promises that The Holy Spirit will come as our “Helper – Our Comforter.” He states in John 14:16-17, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; (17) that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” In The King James Version of the Bible the term “Helper” is translated “Comforter.” Of course He is both “Our Comforter” and “Our Helper.” He comforts us by manifesting “GOD’S LOVE” in us by relating “Spirit to spirit” – Holy Spirit to “human spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is with us always as our “COMFORTER” and “HELPER.” Jesus referred to The Holy Spirit as “OUR HELPER” In John 14:26 where He stated,
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit , whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” In John 15:16 Jesus referred to The Holy Spirit as our Helper where He states, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.” Again, in John 16:7 Jesus refers to The Holy Spirit as our Helper where He states, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” We have a constant Helper in The Holy Spirit who indwells us and Comforts us. This “Comfort” of The Holy Spirit is illustrated in Acts 9:31 where we read, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”
Allow me to point out here that God The Father, Jesus Christ The Son, and God The Holy Spirit all “Comfort” us. In the prayer of the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 we read, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, (17) comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”
CONVICTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE FOURTH ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES:
Remember, the “CHIEF” – “MAIN” – “PRINCIPAL” Purpose of The Holy Spirit is to “ACTIVATE” – to “IMPLEMENT” – to “BRING INTO BEING” within GOD’S CREATION, and, of course, this includes this earth us as His Children. God’s desire is to live in us and accomplish His Will and Purpose in our Lives. A large part of that Purpose is to IMPART His Righteousness (HIMSELF) in us so that we actually BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!
Here are several wonderful scriptures presenting this Truth – that we are to be made The Righteousness of God! In Psalms 23:3 we read, “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.” In Psalms 24:5 we read, “He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation.” In Psalms 119:142 we read, “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.” In Proverbs 14:34 we read, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.” In Matthew 5:20 we read, "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” In Matthew 6:33 we read, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” In John 16:8 we read, "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” In Romans 8:10 we read, “If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” In 1 Corinthians 1:30 we read, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” In Philippians 1:11 we read, ”having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” In 1 John 2:29 we read, “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.” Clearly, God intends for His Righteousness to indwell us as His Children!
I need to point out before continuing that we desperately need “The Righteousness of God” in our lives. There is a “righteousness” that the Bible refers to as “self-righteousness” that is a sin. True Righteousness does not come from “human effort” no matter how noble. The Bible refers to our own “self-righteousness” as “filthly rags” in God’s Sight. Thankfully, God “IMPARTS HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS” to us and “FILLS US” WITH HIMSELF. We actually become “THE VERY RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!”
CONVICTIONG OF JUDGMENT: THE FIFTH ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES:
Judgment is coming for the world and for all who reject Jesus Christ The Son as Savior and Lord! This fearful “Great White Throne Judgment” is described in Revelations, Chapter 20. This is the FINAL JUDGMENT! The first to be judged will be the devil and his demons (fallen angels). In Revelation 20:10 we read, “And the devil who deceived them (mankind) was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Notice there is no end to this “torment!” The devil’s final destination, and that of his demons, is the everlasting “Lake of Fire.”
Immediately following, comes the judgment of “mankind” – all who have rejected Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives. In Revelation 20:11-15 we read, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. (12) And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. (14) Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (15) And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” To me, this is a very sad moment in time. It is yet to come but, come it will in God’s own time! We are given the picture of “The Great White Throne” and God The Father sitting on it for judgment. As verse 11 indicates, it is a fearsome sight, one from whose presence the earth and Heaven fled away! Verse 12, indicates that John saw “the dead, the great and the small, standing before the Throne.” Everyone present has rejected Jesus Christ as Savior and therefore all that awaits them is terrible and final judgment. God’s Mercy is over for these poor souls. Only His WRATH awaits them now. In verse 15, judgment is pronounced and they are thrown into “THE LAKE OF FIRE THAT BURNS FOREVER AND EVER!” Notice that “DEATH” and HADES are also thrown into The Lake of Fire. At this point, all that is evil, or the result of evil, is forever gone from our presence! Praise God!
What about Judgment for you and me? For all who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, judgment has already occurred. For us it is history! We were judged “IN CHRIST” almost 2000 years ago at THE CROSS OF CALVARY! Jesus Christ took all our sins upon Himself and paid for them with His Body and His Blood upon The Cross of Calvary! Praise God, OUR SIN DEBT IS ALREADY PAID! Remember, JESUS PAID FOR ALL SIN – FOR ALL MANKIND – FOR ALL TIME SO THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE! As amazing as it may sound, WE WILL NOT BE JUDGED FOR OUR SINS BECAUSE, JESUS CHRIST HAS ALREADY PAID FOR THEM ALL!
You may be saying at this point, “wait a minute,” what about the “Beame Seat Judgment. Yes, we who are Christians will face the Beame Seat Judgment. However, it is not really a “judgment” rather, it is an “Awards Ceremony!” This event is referenced in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 where we read, “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (KJV) Our “WORKS” done here while we are here upon this earth will be “judged” for “rewards” (or “awards”). Notice that some will have more “reward” than others. It appears that some may have few, if any, “rewards.” However, note that every person present at this “Beame Seat Judgment” will be saved.
REVEALING TRUTH: THE SIXTH ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
In verse 13, Jesus states a fourth role of The Holy Spirit in our lives, “He will guide you into all the truth.” The Holy Spirit is our “GUIDE” into all the “TRUTH! Note what Jesus says next, ”for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (14) "He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. (15) "All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” Note that Jesus states that The Holy Spirit “will not speak on His Own initiative, BUT whatever HE HEARS HE WILL SPEAK. And, notice who He (The Holy Spirit) hears it from Jesus Christ Himself. Remember, The Holy Spirit takes what comes FROM GOD THE FATHER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THE SON AND “ACTIVATES” – “MANIFEST IT,” IN THE LIFE OF EVERY BELIEVER WHO IS ALLOWING HIMSELF/HERSELF TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT! Remember too, that JESUS CHRIST IS “TRUTH.” So, as The Holy Spirit leads us into “ALL TRUTH” – HE IS ACTUALLY LEADING US INTO JESUS CHRIST – THE TRUTH!
HELPING US DAILY – THE SEVENTH ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
The Holy Spirit is “Our Helper” by being “THE POWER” of God working in us and through us! When we are in the “Right Relationship with Jesus Christ - With Jesus Christ in our Hearts being The LORD of our lives, The Holy Spirit is “The POWER” by which Jesus Christ DOES THE WILL OF GOD THE FATHER IN OUR LIVES AND THROUGH OUR LIVES. Yes, God The Holy Spirit is our Helper!
(It is interesting to note that The same POWER by which Jesus did His Ministry while in HIS human body here on this earth is the same Power by which He Works THE WORKS OF GOD THE FATHER IN US AND THROUGH US TODAY – GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT!)
IMPORTANT WAYS THE HOLY SPIRIT “HELPS” US:
To try to enumerate the ways that The Holy Spirit “HELPS” us would become an exhaustive task. However, let’s explore some important ways He helps us!
(A) The Holy Spirit is GOD’S SEAL ON OUR LIVES!
In 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 we read “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, (22) who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.” In Ephesians 1:13-14 we read “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, (14) who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.” And in Ephesians 4:30 we read “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Clearly we are sealed by The Holy Spirit!
The fact that we are “SEALED” by GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT is of critical importance to us! It means that our SLAVATION IS SECURE! NOTHING CAN “BREAK” THE SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES. We are forever (eternally) SAVED – NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD! PRAISE GOD! This assurance is stressed in Romans 8:37-39 where we read, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (38) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Further assurance is given by Jesus Himself in John 10:27-30 where He states, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (28) and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (29) "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (30) " I and the Father are one." Clearly we are SECURE IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD FOR HE HOLDS ONTO US AND GOD OUR FATHER HAS SEALED US IN THE HOLY SPIRIT!
(B) The Holy Spirit HELPS us by Praying for us!
This is perhaps one of the more important practical Functions of The Holy Spirit in our lives. This Function is illustrated in Romans 8:26-28 where we read, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” This scripture reveals that the Holy Spirit prays for us in a fervent manner “with groanings too deep for words” when we do not really know what to pray for or how to pray. Verse 27 reveals to us that “He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Although scholars disagree on who the “He” in verse 27 refers to, I’m convinced that the word “HE” here refers to Jesus Christ. And, to whom does He (Jesus Christ) intercede” on our behalf?
Clearly, He (Jesus Christ) intercedes for us before God Our Father in Heaven. In just a few verses later in Romans 8:34 we read, “Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” Jesus Christ is presented as “OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST WHO INTERCEDES FOR US! In Hebrews 8:1-2 we read “Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, (2) a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.” Today, Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest, has the ‘High Position of Honor” at The Right Hand of God Our Father where HE constantly intercedes on our behalf! Praise GOD!
We have every reason to be encouraged! God (Our Father), Jesus Christ (Our Savior and Lord), and The Holy Spirit (Our Helper) are all FOR US and never against us! God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) want us to have the Victory – to be “OVERCOMERS,” (1 John 4: and “OVERWHELMING CONQUERORS!” (Romans 8:37) THEY ARE ALWAYS FOR US – GOD (THE GODHEAD) IS ALWAYS “FOR US!”
(C) The Holy Spirit HELPS us GROW and MATURE By TEACHING US!
God does not want us to stay “immature” as His Children. He wants us to “GROW UP IN ALL ASPECTS IN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - OUR HEAD! In Ephesians 4:11-16 we read “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (13) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (14) As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (15) but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” (16) from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” God’s Purpose is to “build up” The Church, to “grow up” The Church, to bring us to “Maturity.” The Holy Spirit inspired all Scripture and we read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (17) so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
God’s desire that we grow is demonstrated in 1 Peter 2:1-3 where we read “As Newborn Babes Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, (2) like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, (3) if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” God’s displeasure with His Children who do not grow properly is shown in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 where we read “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. (2) I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, (3) for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” Instruction for growing in God’s Word is given in 2 Timothy 2:15 where we read, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” The Kings James Version states 2 Timothy 2:15 this way, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” God desires that we “GROW UP” in THE BODY – THE CHURCH OF WHICH JESUS CHRIST IS THE HEAD! The principal way we can grow “Spiritually” is to feed daily on THE WORD OF GOD!
God desires that we grow into “maturity” in Jesus Christ. This need for maturity is also emphasized in Hebrews 5:12-14 where we read, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (13) For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. (14) But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” God desires for us to grow – to mature in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is our “Guide” – our “Teacher.” He Inspired God’s Word and gave it to us for us to grow to “Spiritually Maturity.”
(D) The Holy Spirit “LEADS” us and “GUIDES” us!
The Bible speaks much about The Holy Spirit “Leading” us. In Romans 8:14 we read, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” In Romans 8:4-6 we read, “So that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (5) For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” In Galatians 5:25 we read, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” WE are to walk by The Spirit – Be led by The Spirit – surrender to HIS leading in our daily lives!
A great mistake is made today by many when they do not fully surrender to The Lordship of Jesus Christ and The Leading of The Holy Spirit in their lives. Jesus spoke of this grave and fatal mistake in Matthew 7:21-23 where we read, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (22) "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' (23) "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” Sadly these poor deceived souls where doing works as they saw fit to do them. In other words, they were saying with the world, “I did it my way.” We need to be very sure that we are surrendered to The Lordship of Jesus Christ and The Leading of The Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives. This is the only way we can “do the Works of God” and thus be in His Will.
(E) The Holy Spirit Produces His FRUIT WITHIN US!
In Galatians 5:22-23 we read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. James 3:17-18 states, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. (18) And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” The Holy Spirit produces these desirable qualities in every believer who is submitted to His Leading.
(F) The Holy Spirit EMPOWERS US TO DO THE WORKS OF GOD.
This is a critical function of The Holy Spirit is our daily living The Christian Life! In fact, we cannot live The Christian life unless we are submitting to The Leadership AND EMPOWERMENT of the Holy Spirit. Remember, The Holy Spirit is THE POWER OF GOD and all of God’s WILL and WORK is performed by THE POWER OF GOD – THE HOLY SPIRIT! When we try to do God’s Will and Work in our own strength we are doomed to fail 100% of the time. Again Matthew 7:21-23 tells the result.
This vitally important Truth is further emphasized in Romans 8:3-14 where we read, “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, (4) so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (5) For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
(6) For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
(7) because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, (8) and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (10) If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (12) So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — (13) for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (14) For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” In this beautiful and instructive passage of Scripture we see the enormous difference in a person who walks “in the flesh” and a person who “walks in The Spirit” – led by The Holy Spirit.
In the Scriptural Passage recorded in Romans 8:3-14 we can note several important points about the need to be “led by The Spirit.” In verse 4 we see that “The Law” was fulfilled in us who are filled with The Spirit and Walk in The Spirit.” In verses 5 and 6, we see an important result brought about in all of us who are “led by The Spirit,” namely that our “minds” are “set upon Life and Peace.” Verses 7 and 8 show us that the “mind” set on the “flesh” (or led by our “sinful fleshly nature”) is hostile toward God, is not able to subject itself to God’s Law, and cannot “Please God.” Verses 9, 10, and 11 show that we who are indwelled and led by The Holy Spirit belong to God (we are Children of God) and we are “alive” in Christ Jesus Our Lord by The Power of The Holy Spirit Who dwells within us! Verses 12, 13,and 14 show us that being “led by our flesh” results in death while being “led by The Holy Spirit” brings life because we are the “sons (Children) of God.” Let’s remember, The Holy Spirit is GOD’S SEAL ON OUR LIVES and HIS ROLE IS TO “MANIFEST” – “ACTIVATE” – “IMPLEMENT” GOD’S WILL AND PURPOSE IN OUR LIVES EVERY DAY!
(G) The Holy Spirit gives us “GIFTS.”
These “Gifts” are for enabling us to live our Christian Life victoriously as God intended. These “Gifts” are enumerated in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. Let’s look at these scriptures. In Romans 12:6-8 we read, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; (7) if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; (8) or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” The emphasis here is to use the “gifts” properly, according to the Grace given to us.
In 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 we read, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not want you to be unaware. (2) You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. (3) Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. (4) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. (6) There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. (7) But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (8) For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, (10) and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Notice in verses 4,5, and 6 the “God Head” is mentioned as being associated with the “Gifts”- God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit. Let’s remember that “all things” come from God The Father, they come through Jesus Christ The Son, and they are “activated” or “manifested” in us by The Power of God – The Holy Spirit. Notice that verse 7 speaks of the “manifestation of The Spirit.” Also, notice that verses 8-11 speaks of The “One Spirit” working all these gifts within us and through us. I believe we can conclude that the “Gifts” are actually The Holy Spirit “Manifesting” Himself in the manner He chooses within us and through us.
In 1 Peter 4:10-11 we read, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (11) Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Again, notice the emphasis here on being “good stewards” of these “Gifts.” And, in verse 11 notice the mention of implementing these gifts (or using the “Gifts”) by “THE STRENGTH OF THE GOD.” The “Strength of God” is the “Power of God” or The Holy Spirit. It is vitally important that we “go” – “do” – “work” in THE STRENGTH OF GOD and NOT OUR OWN PUNY STRENGTH! Again, this is a fatal mistake made by those referred to by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 7:21-23.
Additional scriptures relating to the “Gifts” of the Holy Spirit are located at the end of this article. Allow me to highlight some additional important points here. In 1 Corinthians 14:12 we read, “So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.” In this verse we see the principal purpose of the “Gifts” – for the “edification (or growth – building up) of The Church and that’s us! In 1 Corinthians 14:1 we read, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” Here we see an “order of the “Gifts” and that we are to “desire” especially to “prophesy.” In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we read, “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Here we see that the greatest of the “Gifts” is “Love.”
(H) The Holy Spirit Helps us in Our Battles of Life.
One of the very important roles of The Holy Spirit in our lives as a Child of God Our Father is to Fight Our ENEMY on our behalf. In Ephesians 6:10-18 we read, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (11) Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (14) Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, (15) and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; (16) in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (17) And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Verse 12 makes it very clear that our battles of life are NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD BUT AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE POWERS, AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF WICKEDNESS IN HEAVENLY PLACES. My dear fellow Christian, our battles of life are always against the devil, his demons, and his world system, never against another human being.
Therefore, we must fight these battles against the devil, his demons, and his world system with DEVINELY POWERFUL WEAPONS. For this reason, we need to heed the advice contained in verse 13 – “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” When we try to fight these battles in our own strength and with only our human weapons, we will always be sadly defeated! As the Apostle Paul testifies in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” Praise God, HE supplies us with “DIVINELY POWERFUL WEAPONS” for us to use in fighting these day-to-day battles of life.
In addition to “The Armor of God” which we are to wear (and use) daily, we have The Holy Spirit – THE VERY POWER OF GOD, dwelling in us. In 1 John 4:4 we read, “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” This verse references The Holy Spirit within us and He is greater than anything or anyone in this world!
And, to complete our Divinely Powerful weapons we read in Romans 8:37-39, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (38) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Praise God, Jesus Christ lives in us and we live in Him. He is for us and He has already defeated the devil and his demons and HE WILL ONE DAY REIGN AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS ON THIS EARTH AND OVER ALL CREATION!
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
A continuing, unbroken relationship with God The Holy Spirit is critical to our daily Christian Living. The Holy Spirit is The Member of The “Godhead” who “Manifests” God Our Father and Jesus Christ Our Savior and Lord in our lives on a daily basis. Therefore, it is imperative that we do our part to keep this relationship intact and unbroken. SIN is what always breaks our relationship with God. When we sin (either by the sin of “commission” or the sin of “omission”) The Holy Spirit “CONVICTS US” of our sin and then it is up to us to confess it and then God Our father will restore us immediately to full Fellowship with “The Godhead.” We are so fortunate that 1 John 1:9 is always available to us. In 1 John 1:8-10 we read, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” Verses 8 and 10 make it clear that we sin and that we are much better off to admit it and in obedience to verse 9, confess it to God. The God does something that is amazing, HE FORGIVES US OF OUR SIN AND HE CLEANSES US OF ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. PRAISE GOD, HE ALWAYS FORGIVES US – HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE US AND THEN HE IS JUSTIFIED IN CLEANSING US OF ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS! Dear one, when we read this as Children of God, we should be ready to shout, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, and Hallelujah – Praise God! God is Faithful – always! And, He is “JUSTIFIED” to cleanse us of all unrighteousness because Jesus Christ paid for all sin, for all mankind, for all time, 2000 years ago on the Cross of Calvary!!
We can all too easily ”Grieve” The Holy Spirit by our attitude, our motives, our speech, or our actions. In Ephesians 4:29-30 we read, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (30) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Notice the “command,” “do not grieve The Holy Spirit of God.” Any sin we commit will grieve The Holy Spirit. But, as we saw in the above paragraph, this “grieving” of The Holy Spirit should be (and certainly can be) short-lived IF WE WILL QUICKLY CONFESS OUR SIN TO GOD AND RECEIVE HIS FORGIVENESS, CLEANSING, AND RESTORATION TO FULL FELLOWSHIP!
We can also “Quench” The Holy Spirit by our sin. In “1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 we read, “(16) Rejoice always; (17) pray without ceasing; (18) in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (19) Do not quench the Spirit.” Any sin breaks “Fellowship” with The “Godhead.” As, we have seen, if we quickly confess our sin then Fellowship” is quickly restored. However, if we do not confess our sin, if we deny our sin, if we refuse to even admit it, the our “Fellowship continues “BROKEN” until such time as we do admit it and confess it. When our sin goes for any period of time “UNCONFESSED,” we have “QUENCHED” The Holy Spirit. We can get a picture of this if we think of a water hose that has clear, clean water flowing through it and we take the hose in our hands and twist it making a “kink” that cuts off the flow of the water. This “cutting off the Flow of The Holy Spirit is what we do when we sin and do not confess the sin to God – our “Fellowship” is broken, and the Holy Spirit is “Quenched” in our lives. This is a serious situation. The Holy Spirit is Our Spiritual Lifeline and when He is “Quenched” we begin to “dry up” and “die.”
Instead of “Grieving” and/or “Quenching” The Holy Spirit, we need to learn how to release The Power of God – The Holy Spirit in our lives on a continuing basis. The way to do this is quite simple yet, often hard for us to do. We “release” this “Great Power” by “Surrendering” to The Lordship of Jesus Christ in our daily lives and by allowing The Holy Spirit to lead us in all matters, always! Yes, “SURRENDERING” is the key to our “successfully living” our Christian Life on a daily basis.
CONCLUSION:
GOD – TRINITY – GODHEAD; GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT CONSTITUTE “GOD” – THREE IN ONE!
GOD OUR FATHER IS THE SOURCE OF ALL! He loves mankind so much that He desires that every human being be “SAVED” by “TRUSTING” IN HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST! Yes, God Our Father loves us unconditionally and desires to have “FELLOWSHIP” with us (as His Children) and to bless us abundantly here in this earthly life and for all Eternity!
GOD THE SON – JESUS CHRIST IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE “TRINITY.” He is our Great High Priest and we must go through Him to “ACCESS” God The Father! He is THE WAY! He is Our Savior – He is Our Lord – He is Head of The Church of which we are a part! His Main Purpose is to be “THE CHANNEL” through which God Our Father’s Blessings are passed into our lives. Therefore, Jesus Christ is the “DELIVERER” OF HIS FATHER’S WILL TO US! God Our Father sent Jesus Christ into this world (clothed in the physical body of a man) to become “The ONE and ONLY Savior and Lord FOR EVERYONE WHO WILL TRUST IN HIM AND INVITE HIM IN (OUR LIVES) TO BECOME OUR SAVIOR AND LORD! WE MUST “BELIEVE IN” JESUS CHRIST AND RECEIVE HIM AS OUR SAVIOR AND LORD IN ORDER TO BE SAVED AND THEREFORE HAVE HEAVEN AS OUR ULTIMATE ETERNAL HOME! THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!!!
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE THIRD PERSON OF THE TRINITY AND IS THE VERY POWER OF GOD! HE IS THE “ACTIVATOR” – THE “IMPLEMENTOR” OF GOD OUR FATHER’S WILL AND PURPOSE THAT COMES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST TO US! He is God’s “SEAL” upon our lives (the lives of all God’s children). He is our “Teacher,” our “Guide,” our “Helper,” our “Comforter,” and He “Prays” for us with “groanings and utterances we cannot understand.
CLEARLY, GOD IS FOR US!! GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE “FOR US” AND NEVER AGAINST US! God’s greatest desire is for us (as human “fallen” beings) to be “RECONCILED” to Him. In order for this to happen, The Holy Spirit must “CONVICT US” of our sin. Then we respond to this conviction by agreeing with it, confessing our sin, and asking Jesus Christ to become our Savior and Lord! We then receive Jesus Christ into our life as Savior and Lord, we become a “NEW CREATION” and we begin our “NEW LIFE” as a “CHILD OF GOD OUR FATHER!”
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Pastor J. Gilbert Hammond