Today’s Reading, John 13-15
Focal Scripture: John 14:17 “He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.”
Getting a gift that others won’t be able to receive is a pretty phenomenal feeling. It means you are chosen to get it over other people. You are not more important. You are not even special. What it means though, is that this gift is precious, because the one who is giving it deemed you worthy to receive it personally. I have gotten a few gifts like that in my personal life and they all hold a special place in my heart.
In today’s reading, Jesus tells his disciples about the Holy Spirit. He let them know they will get this gift after his death and when he ascends to heaven. The spirit is truth and the world won’t be able to receive him. The world can’t receive him because it doesn’t know him and they can’t even see him on their own. However, the disciples do know him because he will remain with them and even reside inside of them.
What is your view of the Holy Spirit? I know personally I have witnessed two extremes in my life. It has either been an abuse of the Holy Spirit where he is treated like a person that gives special gifts, only if you have enough faith. These gifts almost always bring glory to the person instead of Christ. Then to make it worse I have been around some who are afraid of the Holy Spirit. It is a reaction to the abuses that some denominations perpetrate on their people.
However, both of these extremes are wrong. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to serve as a down payment of our salvation. He is also the source of our power because he has decided to take residence inside of every believer. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and always points to Jesus. If you are saved you have the Holy Spirit.
My challenge today is for you to examine if you have received the Holy Spirit. At the moment of salvation you get all of the Holy Spirit you will ever get. The problem comes for many because they quench the spirit. This happens because of sin or because they don’t know his role. They try to live the Christian walk on their own. Jesus gave us the Spirit because we are unable to take on that responsibility.
When you are given a gift you display it for others to see. The same is true when it comes to the Holy Spirit. He is displayed in the life of a believer by producing fruit. It also is displayed by a person who lives on mission.
Be a person who knows the power of the spirit. It is life changing.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading John 16-18
