the basic message #E262

5/30/04

How many times, in your life, have you said, "Well, that's just the way I am"?  We usually say that whenever we've done something wrong.  Most of us very frequently fall back on this excuse, but if you claim to be a Christian, you no longer have that as a crutch.  We love to yak about being "born again", or being a "new creature in Christ", but we seem to forget about all of that whenever we return to walk on the "wide path to destruction". 

As I awoke this morning, a thought popped up that goes something like this:  "We're all born a certain way, and we spend the rest of our lives trying to change- that is if we're followers of Christ".  Think about that- very few people in this world don't have a serious need for change, right?  Yes, there are some lucky folks out there that have sweet dispositions, but for those like me that were born with a mean-streak, we have to try to improve every day.  Can we do it on our own?  Nope- read on:

John 14:15-18

"If you love me, you will obey what I command.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth,  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

Never let it be said that God didn't have a master plan for Salvation that has all of the bases covered.  While there are many religions in this world that have some good points, none have the Holy Spirit, the "Counselor to be with you forever".  Jesus didn't allow a lapse of service when he ascended into Heaven after his crucifixion.  The Holy Spirit, for some strange reason, isn't discussed much within the modern Christian church.  That's a real tragedy, since the Holy Spirit is the critical link between us and Jesus.  Let's see what else Jesus said about the Holy Spirit that we need to know:

John 14:25-26

"All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, 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."

Wow, what a promise!  Please read this passage about 3 more times before you continue with my weak words.  If you really listened to what Jesus just told you, you must have a warm feeling right now.  Why?  The Holy Spirit "will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I (Jesus) have said to you."  Think about that promise for just a moment.  We Christians buy all sorts of books and attend countless lessons, Bible study classes and seminars, but Jesus is telling us that the Holy Spirit "will teach you all things".  Do we believe that?  It would at least seem that we don't fully trust in that promise.  "But John, are you saying that Bible study isn't needed?"  I think Bible study is critical in the life of a believer, but if you don't trust in the words of Jesus, what's the point of reading the Bible?  Jesus just said that the Holy Spirit "will remind you of everything I (Jesus) have said to you"- isn't that good enough for you? 

The Holy Spirit can radically change your life in ways that you must experience to fully understand.  Habits that seemed impossible to break will simply fade away.  The words of Jesus will become imbedded in your mind, always reminding you of what Jesus expects from you.  Some people say that the Holy Spirit is simply our "conscience", but to trivialize the power of the Holy Spirit in that way is dangerous.  I know plenty of "lost"  people that have more conscience than believers, so let's not misunderstand the role of the Holy Spirit.  Have I convinced you that the Holy Spirit is your personal agent of change?  Have I convinced you that he can literally take your life, scrub it down and polish it to make you presentable before a Holy God?  There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the "Counselor of truth", the Holy Spirit is a tremendous resource- if we use him.  He can be compared to a skilled surgeon- the surgeon can't perform lifesaving surgery until we what?  Until we give him our consent to operate.  The Holy Spirit is exactly the same- he stands ready, willing and able to fix our lives if.............we give him permission.  Would you stop right now, wherever you are, and pray for God to send the Holy Spirit to change your life?  You'll thank me someday- I promise.