Thursday, August 26, 2010

Reflections on John 16

I wonder how many of us really believe Jesus statement: “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?” Do we really believe that the Spirit so empowers and directs us that we are personally better off, as were the disciples, with the Spirit being poured out rather than Jesus being personally present? Do we realize that the Spirit has regenerated us and circumcised our hearts in such a way that we will not fall away? Do we really believe that we can walk in the fullness of the Spirit and be empowered to live in progressive victory over sin? Do we really believe that the Spirit will personally convicts us of sin and glorifies Christ by making the gospel sweeter and sweeter to us? Do we really believe in the magnificence of the Spirit’s objective leading through scripture and His subjective leading in our hearts? Do we really believe that the Spirit gives us supernatural gifts to serve the body? I think very few of us, writer included, really experience the ministry of the Spirit in our lives and, therefore, we find Jesus’ statement utterly unbelievable. Lord Jesus, pour out your Spirit in power upon me and upon the Church. I pray that I would know the fullness of intimacy, conviction and power that you give through the Spirit. Help me to walk in all that you intend for me.

I also wonder if we really believe Jesus when he says: “Whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you...ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full?” Do we really pray as though this is true? Do our prayer lives display that this has resonated in our hearts? Do we really believe that prayer is a means to a greater end and that greater end is joy? Do we really believe we are loved by the Father?

Jesus clearly sees the persecution coming for us. We, however, are not like those who have no hope. He has overcome the world. He has poured out the Spirit. The Father hears us because we come in his name. Take heart, be joyous, persevere.

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