A FRIEND WHO IS GOD
A FRIEND WHO IS GOD
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit is not introduced so much as a companion as an enabling power of God. He was often called the Spirit of God or the breath of God, and is noticed as making people do extraordinary things in the name of God.
This characterization went on well into the Earthly days of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then He began to draw attention to the Holy Spirit as far more than an impersonal force, but as God. He told the disciples also that they knew the Holy Spirit because He had been WITH them, but would come to be IN them after His ascension. The Holy Spirit would take from the Father and Him, the Son, and teach them, counsel them, comfort them, fill them with power to witness about Him (in message, miracles and manner of life).
After the Lord's ascension, the Holy Spirit comes like a mighty rushing wind and like fire, and they are immediately transformed into bold witnesses with a community life that abhors any form of sin. Miracles also characterize their ministry. We then read of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to them, they living a superior self sacrificing life called the fruit of the Spirit, and they serving with diverse supernatural abilities called the gifts if the Holy Spirit.
Such is the companion whose coming to us Jesus says is better than He remaining on Earth in physical form. And indeed He has brought ALL the transformation in God's dealing with humanity in the following ways:
1. The enabling presence of God which used to be with only a few chosen persons is now available to whoever turns to God through Christ.
2. His coming to gentiles convinced even the Jews, who had till then believed that Jehovah was their Monopoly, that God is for all people everywhere who turned to Him.
3. The necessity of consulting priests in temples to find the mind of God was completely made obsolete, since now He is available to all flesh that seek God diligently.
4. He is now the de facto personal groom, teacher and guide to every believer in the service of God.
Now, this fourth one is the reason for this piece. How do you receive and walk with God as the personal friend He chooses to be to you in the Holy Spirit? If you have any idea about keeping friendship good, you can answer this question as well. Because The Holy Spirit is God in you in His complete power, as well as perfect gentleness.
The relationship He seeks is that of CONSTANT FELLOWSHIP as with a friend, as well as COMPLETE REVERENCE as with God. His purpose is to secure you for the complete inheritance of the eternal promise of God, as well as to make you an effective servant of the Lord in the church.
If you yield to Him, He will teach you all essential things, guide you along the way of life, and cleanse you of all remnants of ungodliness to show Christ fully in you to the world...
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit is not introduced so much as a companion as an enabling power of God. He was often called the Spirit of God or the breath of God, and is noticed as making people do extraordinary things in the name of God.
This characterization went on well into the Earthly days of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then He began to draw attention to the Holy Spirit as far more than an impersonal force, but as God. He told the disciples also that they knew the Holy Spirit because He had been WITH them, but would come to be IN them after His ascension. The Holy Spirit would take from the Father and Him, the Son, and teach them, counsel them, comfort them, fill them with power to witness about Him (in message, miracles and manner of life).
After the Lord's ascension, the Holy Spirit comes like a mighty rushing wind and like fire, and they are immediately transformed into bold witnesses with a community life that abhors any form of sin. Miracles also characterize their ministry. We then read of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to them, they living a superior self sacrificing life called the fruit of the Spirit, and they serving with diverse supernatural abilities called the gifts if the Holy Spirit.
Such is the companion whose coming to us Jesus says is better than He remaining on Earth in physical form. And indeed He has brought ALL the transformation in God's dealing with humanity in the following ways:
1. The enabling presence of God which used to be with only a few chosen persons is now available to whoever turns to God through Christ.
2. His coming to gentiles convinced even the Jews, who had till then believed that Jehovah was their Monopoly, that God is for all people everywhere who turned to Him.
3. The necessity of consulting priests in temples to find the mind of God was completely made obsolete, since now He is available to all flesh that seek God diligently.
4. He is now the de facto personal groom, teacher and guide to every believer in the service of God.
Now, this fourth one is the reason for this piece. How do you receive and walk with God as the personal friend He chooses to be to you in the Holy Spirit? If you have any idea about keeping friendship good, you can answer this question as well. Because The Holy Spirit is God in you in His complete power, as well as perfect gentleness.
The relationship He seeks is that of CONSTANT FELLOWSHIP as with a friend, as well as COMPLETE REVERENCE as with God. His purpose is to secure you for the complete inheritance of the eternal promise of God, as well as to make you an effective servant of the Lord in the church.
If you yield to Him, He will teach you all essential things, guide you along the way of life, and cleanse you of all remnants of ungodliness to show Christ fully in you to the world...
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