"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2Corinthians 4:16-18
John 14:26
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father--he will testify about me.” John 16:14 “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” (Italics are mine.) While I was serving my first church as pastor a young man came to talk with me. The young husband believed the Holy Spirit was directing him to divorce his wife and marry another woman. I assured him that, while some spirit might be leading him to leave wife for another woman, the Holy Spirit was not leading him in that direction. The Holy Spirit, I told him, would never lead him to do something in contradiction to the Bible. My young friend mistook an overactive libido for the leading of the Holy Spirit; this was not the last time I listened as people misidentified urges, whims, appetites, infatuations, etc. for the leading of the Holy Spirit. My own experience with the Holy Spirit is very much in line with the Bible, the written Word of God. The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in my life is making Jesus Christ real in me today. The moment I begin to think the work of the Holy Spirit is any way separate from my relationship with Jesus Christ I have lost my way. Consider these Biblical and theological truths concerning the relationship between the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ:
Beyond this we know the Holy Spirit is missional; He is propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. He is on mission promoting Jesus Christ to those who have not yet become followers of Jesus Christ. He is faithful to His task working even now to bring people to Christ. He cannot be distracted from the person Jesus Christ or His mission. There are many great issues in the world, but the Holy Spirit recommends only one solution – Jesus Christ. In the 19th century Francis Thompson went away to college and became an opium addict. In his classic poem, “The Hound of Heaven” he describes to pursuit of the Holy Spirit. Just a few lines from the very lengthy poem: I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him down the arches of the years; I fled Him down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears. I hid from Him, and under running laughter, Up vistaed hopes I sped; And shot, precipitated, Adown titanic glooms of chasmed fears, From those strong Feet that followed, followed after. But with unhurrying chase And unperturbed pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, They beat – and a voice beat More instant than the feet – “All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.” This is the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. He relentlessly draws me to Jesus Christ. In countless ways He brings to mind the teachings of Jesus Christ. His work in my life and in the world is this pointed; there is ONE THING that matters above all other things – knowing Jesus Christ!
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AuthorTim Young is a follower of Jesus Christ. He is married to Sue and is the father of 4 children and 11 grandchildren. Beyond his faith and family Tim is passionate about hiking, backpacking and fitness. He lives in Southwest Missouri in the Ozarks. Archives
January 2020
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