Gift of the Holy Spirit

Inspired to Obey

Ken

One of the main things that should attract us to being baptized is not just the forgiveness of sins, but the receiving of the Holy Spirit. 

Let me explain. 

The very first sermon of the NT Church taught us: 

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38 KJV). 

Repentance and baptism bringing about the reception of the Holy Spirit — should intrigue us. 

Our sins are taken away and replaced with God’s Indwelling Spirit. 

Now, people can see when you have been baptized, because you just got wet. But, how can they tell, if you have received the Holy Spirit? 

Obedience is how you can tell if someone has the Holy Spirit. 

That is what the LORD told the prophet Ezekiel.  

“I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 

That to me is one of the most significant verses in the OT, which puts into perspective Acts 2:38. 

Perhaps you have already heard about the Promise of the Spirit? 

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14). 

But, did you know something as simple as water baptism could be so significant? 

Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). 

Notice the Loyalty Oath taken and given at baptism, in the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event, declares Jesus as Lord. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [confession with the mouth implies the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event], and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). 

But still, it isn’t a debate whether water or grace through faith saves us. 

It is Jesus that saves us. 

What should become clear is that the Gift of the Holy Spirit preached by Peter at Pentecost 

Isn’t you possessing the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit possessing you.

By our obedience to something as basic as water baptism, we were given the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Just listen to how Peter and the other apostles put it in the Book of Acts: 

“And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). 

Did you notice that?

Obeying the command to be baptized gave the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.  

But, Jehovah’s promise of Ezekiel 36:27 was: 

“I’ll put My Spirit in you” 

 and 

“Cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” 

What dawned upon me (over long years) is the Holy Spirit causes us to walk in His Statutes, keep His judgments, and do them.  It meant

The Holy Spirit inspires us to obey God. 

Praise God! 

When the OT prophets and NT apostles were inspired to pen the words of Scripture, they were not taking rote dictation. 

I have come to the conclusion that

The giving of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of God securing and guaranteeing our obedience. 

Hallelujah! 

Not just securing our obedience to be baptized, but guaranteeing our obedience for everything! 

Paul expressed his heart to the Thessalonian disciples, as I do to you:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).

May you be inspired to obey God! 

Heavenly Father, if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more are You willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask You. Pour out Your Spirit upon us. Teach us to do Your will. Your Spirit is good. Lead us into the land of uprightness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Return quickly. Amen and amen.

I’ve Never Been Angrier At Myself

Ken

In the movie, Top Gun (1986), Goose said to Maverick, “The Defense Department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.” When the devil gets the best of us, when we make careless, thoughtless decisions, real consequences occur for the Kingdom of God. Ask King Hezekiah, after he had shown the Babylonian envoys his treasures, because he was impressed that they had taken notice of Judah’s deliverance from Sennacherib (2Kings 18) and Hezekiah’s amazing recovery from his sickness, which was accompanied by the sundial miraculously going “back ten degrees” (20:9 KJV). Little Judah was receiving notice from the great Babylonian Empire, which was not good. Hezekiah was not careful about being flattered by the world, and they later would overthrow Judah after performing a military, economic reconnaissance of Judah through an unsuspecting-but-stupid Hezekiah. He should have known better! But, so should we! 

Listen to the prophet Isaiah analyze Hezekiah’s situation. 

“14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from Babylon. 15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. 16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. 17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. 19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?” (2Kings 20:14-19). 

How to Prevent a Similar Replay of Hezekiah’s Actions in Our Own Circumstances 

First, the enemy exploits our weaknesses to turn them into sin, because there is no such thing as necessary sin. Our weaknesses are common to man. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13). 

Second, if we have sinned, confess it, and throw yourself at the mercy of God to preserve us from repeating it. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9). 

Third, God is not simply in the business of forgiving sin, but He is interested in preventing sin. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). 

Fourth, here’s where most of us have traditionally missed the fact that the Holy Spirit was given to the Church through the New Covenant for the express purpose of inspiring us to obey God — not forcing us. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 

Fifth, we have neglected the giving of the Holy Spirit, because we have not viewed it as a cooperative act of ourselves pledging loyalty to Christ through a public display, in particular, at baptism. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). 

Sixth, because we quarrel about water or grace through faith saving us, we neglect that it is Jesus that is saving us, but only so we will walk in a sanctified, Spirit filled way. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). 

Seventh, we need to turn from merely a reactive, defensive walk into an offensive, mode of gaining souls for the Lord Jesus Christ, clothed with the “whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11), and in particular, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (6:18). 

I invite you to improve upon this plan, but we can’t sit and do nothing!

Lord Jesus, You are standing on the right hand of the Father, and have told us, “If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14 ). Stephen prayed and received Your answer in the salvation of Saul of Tarsus. May You raise up Your witnesses to this generation. Count us among that number! In Your Name, we pray. Amen.

Spirit Inspires Obedience

Ken

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1:21 KJV). We normally think of the inspiration of Scripture as concerning God’s Infallible Book the Bible, which is correct, but, we do not think of ordinary Christians to be inspired by the Spirit of God to do something as straightforward as obedience. Truth be told, obedience has always been possible from the Beginning, but Jehovah planned for a day, when obedience would become more likely than prophets faithfully recording what we now know as Scripture. Ezekiel foretold of a NT time, when God’s Spirit would dwell within His people for the express purpose of inspiring them to obey Him. Notice, the Holy Spirit does not force obedience or we would no longer have a free will. He only inspires or encourages obedience, so that God would have in us the intimate relationship of obedience for which we were created. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). How do we know such an auspicious event ever occurred? Listen to Peter’s first sermon inaugurating the Church at Pentecost. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Confusion has made Miraculous Manifestations, Spiritual Gifts, or God’s Spirit As Proof of Ownership, as the purpose of God giving us His Spirit. But, simple obedience is the underlying purpose for giving us His Spirit. For, when His Spirit abides within us, “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). Once this reality sets into the consciousness of the Church, no longer will we be so incredulous that obedience — not sinfulness — should be the norm of the Church. LORD, haste that day! Amen.

Prayer for Christ’s Return

Ken

Almighty God, You are the creator of all possible worlds (Genesis 1:1), yet You seek a relationship with me (17:1). I am humbled to seek the highest good of Your being knowing You have sought that for me (John 3:16). I have offended in not loving and obeying You as I ought (Isaiah 53:6), and I am grateful for Your merciful loving kindness in sending Your Son to suffer in my place for my sins (1Peter 2:21; 4:1). I pray that the gift of Your Spirit (Acts 2:38) would inspire me to walk in obedience (Ezekiel 36:27) and that Jesus would return soon (Revelation 22:20). I know I must occupy myself with Your business in the meantime (Luke 19:13). And, I realize You may take me by means of death (James 4:14) before You would rapture Your Church and Jesus would return (1Thessalonians 4:17). Make me to be as the Wise Virgins (Matthew 25:10) and to abide in watchfulness for Your soon coming. Cause me to be a faithful watchman (Luke 21:36). Amen.

Only Whole-Hearted Seekers Prevented From Wandering (Psalm 119:10)

Ken

“With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:10 KJV). Every young person should aspire to walk in obedience to God’s Word. Nothing at all should be surprising about God’s expectations of us. None of us would expect or care for anyone approaching us half-heartedly or insincerely. Others may deal with us deceitfully, but God sets the standard for appropriate conduct. God expects from us the same sincerity of conduct, which He gives us. “God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). God’s history of dealing with us has been to keep us from wandering from Him. God Only Wise has arranged His dealings with us to gain not simply our outward obedience, but our heartfelt love for Him. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not” (Luke 13:34). The Atonement revealed His heart to us. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Yahweh has always known we need a progressive revelation of Himself, since too much at once would overpower us. “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1Corinthians 3:2). 

In these NT times, we have access to God’s greatest gift beyond the Atonement — the gift of His Spirit to inspire our obedience. “I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27 ). We need to believe and act like we already have everything we need to live a godly, well-pleasing life. “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2Peter 1:3). Father, You have already given us the forgiveness of our sins through Your Son’s death on the Cross, and we now have the assistance of Your Holy Spirit to live an obedient, well-pleasing life. Help us to resist the wicked one and overcome the temptation to give in to the world. Make us a walking testimony of Your grace and truth. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Mysteries of the LORD

Ken

God is not trying to exclude anyone from His company, but we block ourselves from receiving privileges from Him depending on how much we fear Him. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew [shō] them His covenant” (Psalm 25:14 KJV). “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), but He can also be a fearful master, if we do not give Him the respect He deserves. God is not like an object we purchase to be discarded, when we tire of Him. We are His creation, and we do well to find how best to approach Him. His covenant is simple. “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jeremiah 7:23). He gives us our own personal comforter (John 14:16), advocate (1John 2:1), teacher (John 14:26), guide (Isaiah 30:21), mentor (1John 2:27), coach (1Corinthians 12:1-11), body guard (Isaiah 52:12), reminder to walk humbly because the Spirit draws attention to Jesus not Himself (John 16:13), reminder of His love (2Corinthians 13:14), and insurance that we can obey His commands (Ezekiel 36:27), when we took our loyalty oath of water baptism to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Though we want to encourage all those around us to embrace the understanding He has given us, we are not to slow down or hold back in our seeking to understand more about our Master, even if our fellow disciples do not yet share all our appreciation of Him. Father, cause us to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness. Cause us to be drawn to a better understanding of who You are. Cause us to be drawn into greater love with You (16:02). Show us Jesus. In His precious name, we pray. Amen. 

Awakening the Church

Ken

The Holy Spirit has always been the Church’s greatest secret, but especially for the fragmented Church, its greatest mystery. Our most valuable connections are not man’s devices, such as the internet or social media — which have their place — but the Holy Spirit. We are accustomed to other means because of their obvious utility. What has the Church always had as both its Source and resource, but the Holy Spirit? How did the Early Church achieve such incomprehensible results without our modern devices, but through the Holy Spirit?  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). Disconnected from man’s devices, God is able to replicate and communicate His intentions and movement through the Holy Spirit. His Word is used to communicate to us by His Spirit. And, prayer is used to communicate with Him — and, to the rest of the Body of Christ. When His Spirit is moving upon us, then we can believe and pray He is similarly moving upon others. Use the assembling of the local church and the fellowship of disciples and believers, where possible and available, but do not neglect the Holy Spirit and prayer. Naturally, the enemy does not want us to fully appreciate our advantage. We neglect prayer because we do not well understand nor control it. “Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies” (Psalm 60:12). LORD, inspire us to pray like we believe prayer is more effective and valuable than man’s devices. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen. 

Why Was the Holy Spirit Given?

Ken

Jesus said He would send the Comforter to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8 KJV). How does reproving us for sin, righteousness, and judgment give us comfort? Of course, when we repent we have comfort, but that is only a remedy for the iniquity that had already occurred. What if the Holy Spirit was able also to prevent sin by guaranteeing our obedience; thus, fulfilling Christ’s words about the Comforter, but graciously giving more? “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13). The OT prophets prophesied of such a gracious gift from Yahweh (Ezekiel 36:27; Micah 7:19). And, Paul wrote by inspiration, “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). LORD, You are our help from ages past and our hope for years to come, teach us to value Your comfort and appreciate Your Spirit vouching our obedience that we may rejoice Your heart this day. Overcome the wicked one. Return quickly, Lord Jesus, and deliver us. In Your All Powerful Name, we pray. Amen. 

Communion of the Holy Spirit

Ken

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen” (2Corinthians 13:14 KJV). We have much more to do with the Holy Spirit than we think. His presence is so pervasive, we tend to discount Him or not make legitimate attempt to account for His work in us. More likely, we think of His influence in more dramatic settings such as Pentecost. But, the Spirit has a small voice, too. To the degree anyone listens to His voice, they are in communion with Him. When someone ceases to commune with Him, then they grieve Him. “Grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Those who continue to the end are the elect of God. LORD, work in our hearts to not grieve Your Spirit. Teach us to treasure Your influence and keep away whatever makes You distant from us. Make us holy, for You are holy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

What Is A Christian?

Ken1 Comment

Willingness to obey Christ is to be a Christian. “If any man [Greek, tis, anyone] will do His will, he shall know” (John 7:17 KJV). Anyone who is willing to do God’s will, that is the key to being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether we like it or not, we possess the status of being in the image of God by virtue of His creating us that way, but we can only possess Christlikeness through our willingness to do His will. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). His desire for us has always been we would desire Him as much as He desires us. The Holy Spirit was given by Christ to cause us to be willing. For us, believing (Acts 16:31), repenting (Acts 3:19), confessing Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9), giving up everything (Luke 14:33), being baptized as a loyalty oath (Acts 2:38) are certainly necessary, but a willing heart is our greatest gift to Him and His chief enjoyment of us. LORD, make it so. In Jesus’ name, amen.