I am posting on Sunday night, which I normally do not do, because at 6:45a I am some other adults are taking 11 youth on a ski trip to Paoli Peaks…how much fun does that sound like? Anyway, referring back to my blog of January 13…because of ongoing conversations, let me expound just a bit. In John 14:12 Jesus tells us, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” When we allow Jesus Christ to function as the Lord of our lives (remember the surrender word?) the Spirit is free to actively work within us and we will do great things in the Spirit's power. Some have commented about the Holy Spirit and its seeming absence in lives…let me just say this: if you don’t know the Holy Spirit of God, you do not know God. You may know of God, but it is impossible to know God and not know the power of His Holy Spirit. Too many people want to know of God and keep their status/comforts in this world. However, like so many things, talk is cheap and God can spot a cheap-talker a mile away, even if no one else can. But here’s the good news, once you surrender to Christ (yes, fully surrender) and the Spirit begins to work in and thru you, the difference will be obvious. Life will no longer consist of doing good things for God…instead life is an adventure of walking with God. Eternal life is not something you look forward to after you die; it is a living relationship with God that begins at surrender and extends into eternity. It is then, and only then, a powerless assembly can become the church God intended us to be.
Amen. I heard it said like this..we must empty ourselves of 'self' and fill up with the Holy Spirit. Same thing as surrendering, but it gives me a different visual.
ReplyDeleteJohn 14:12 is one of my favorites! I remember the first time it jumped off the page at me. I could not imagine that we could do "even greater things than our Lord"! What a promise! I'm thinking that until Jesus left the Holy Spirit could not come. And while Jesus was here, there was only one of him. Now that He has went back to the Father and the Holy Spirit has come, for those that surrender to the Holy Spirit, do you think that is why the scripture says we will do even greater things? Because there should be far more of us operating in the Spirit's power than there was the One Jesus operating in the POWER! I hope I am getting across what my mind is thinking. Bottom line is being surrendered is a wonderful place to be and the ONLY place to be! Thank you Jesus for sending Your Holy Spirit!
ReplyDeleteAmen to all of those comments!
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