‘ I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 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. ‘ John 14:16-17
The repeating foundation of our past several weeks’ sermons has been connection with God, oneness, abiding in Jesus Christ. I was once asked, “If you could sum up the bible in one word, what would it be?” Surprisingly my answer came quickly, “heart”, I said. The questioner assumed a puzzled expression and half cocked grin and ask, “why ‘heart’?” I qualified my answer as simply as I could. My reply, “it would seem to me that scripture, at it’s core, is about the heart of God and reconciling our hearts to His”.
I think foundationally that’s where the focus should be. For all the sermonizing, scripture study, discussions, movies, etc, at the very core it’s all about seeking God, exploring and internalizing His word, and ultimately ‘knowing His heart’ for each one of us individually, our friends, families, neighbors and the world at large.
One of the keys to unlocking this is understanding The Holy Spirit. I think His role, His identity even, as well as His purpose with and for us is difficult for most of us to grasp. I know I struggle. However, it’s a key part to helping us see the frame work of the foundation we are to work from. Understanding Him is no less important or necessary to our connection than is our pursuit of God the Father or God the Son.
The first thing to understand is that God the Holy Spirit is not a thing, force or feeling. According to the Nicene Creed He is “the Lord, the Giver of Life”. He is Lord and we are to worship Him in the knowledge that He reigns with authority over all of creation. As The Giver of Life, He has access to our hearts in a way that is incomprehensible to us.
Without Him, none of us would know Christ, or be able to honestly call ourselves christians. It is because of His intervention that we have been born again into new and abundant life. Through His power we are able to put off sin and put on righteousness. There can be no sanctification for us without Him.
‘Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth , and having put on the breastplate of righteousness , ‘ Ephesians 6:14
I would encourage each of you, as you are pressing forward in your pursuit of the heart of God, seek out the Holy Spirit. Study what God’s word has to show you about Him, meditate and pray about and to Him. Seek Him with as much fervor as the Father and the Son. Have a blessed weekend.
‘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. ‘ John 14:26
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy
