“…an aged disciple, with whom we should dwell.”

 

Thus far we have looked at the aged knower, the old legalist, the aged mystic and now the old and angry.

As we remarked in the introduction in part (1) one no one fits exclusively to any group as the aged knower will at times be old and angry however each aged Christ-ian will fit into a group generally speaking. We also remarked that the word aged can speak to a believer that is not aged in a number but in a spiritual maturity just as an aging Christ-ian, in terms of a number can remain spiritually childlike.

Having said that all believers will be angry at times but it is a sad state if they remained angry for much of their Christ-ian life.

To be certain there is much one can be angry with and about. One can be angry at the poor condition of the church as the spiritual state of the church, in general is very low. One could be angry at the number of spiritual leaders that have been compromised and have fallen in a public way. One could be angry at the world’s utter contempt for the church. For this contempt to be experienced all one needs to do is to read the comment section at the bottom of any article on the church in any public newspaper. One can become angry by the way Christ-ians are portrayed on any given television program. One cannot help but grow angry by the political seen in America.

As you can see quite clearly their is no shortage of reasons to be angry. We are sure that the reader would have no problem adding their own reasons.

However before dwelling upon the above or adding anymore let us put things into perspective. Each of the items listed above are all prophetic from the low spiritual condition to the state of the individual Christ-ian or professing Christ-ian. The hatred and utter contempt displayed by the world at large was promised by Christ, Himself! It is written, “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you.” Christ said, “Marvel not if the world hate you, for ye know it hated [M]e first.” He went on to reveal the reason for this hatred. He said that the world will hate you because I chose you out of the world!

The low quality of the church’s spiritual state is a sign of the Lord’s soon return!

You see then that if you are an angry believer you are part of the low spiritual condition of the church. Ouch! Your anger betrays your focus upon the world and lack of focus upon the One that Overcame to world, Who has charged us with the words, “Be of good cheer.” And “Look up for your redemption draweth nigh.” As well as, “Your salvation is nearer than when you first believed.”

There is an old hymn that goes something like this,

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His Wonderful Face and the things of earth shall grow strangely dim…?”

A part of another hymn goes like this, “Cheer up my brother…”

You see beloved, We as Christ-ians should be the happiest and most joy filled people on this earth. For those outside of Christ and seem to be at peace are deceived but those in Christ have every reason to be at peace and they see things very clearly. However, those that are in Christ and are yet angry all the time they are above all the most deceived and blinded.

” and he said, Hear thou therefore the [W]ord of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on [H]is [T]hrone, and all the [H]ost of [H]eaven standing by [H]im on [H]is [R]ight [H]and and on [H]is [L]eft. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ra-moth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And [H]e said, thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth and do so.”  (1 Kings 22:19-22)

What we have as our text is a peek inside the Veil. We see that God governs the evil spirits as He does the Host of Angels. This episode reminds us of (s)atan coming before God and being given the power to test Job.

The exorcising of demons was an almost daily routine for the earth walking Christ. The apostles had their own bouts with demons. As did the reformers and the puritans, esp. John Wesley.

In today’s vernacular demon is equivalent to vices and or past transgressions that won’t stay down. Drug addiction is a demon, pornography is a demon,  a difficult childhood is a demon, any habit is considered a demon. This is not what we are speaking of. We speak of the malevolent and the malicious demons that are part of (s)atan’s  “pyramid scheme.”

These entities are not “As Seen On T.V.” These entities are like their father, very subtle. They strive to infiltrate the unhappy family. They work slowly and again subtley. They will work on the weakest in the family. Their goal is to turn family member against family member. Then when the family is divided the demon takes possession of one. The greatest defense from demon oppression is a Joyful Family in Christ.

Possession and oppression are different. A Christ-ian cannot be possessed but a       Christ-ian can be oppressed and attacked outwardly, see Job. The Christ-ian cannot be possessed by a demon entity due to the already Present Holy Spirit, Who is  quite jealous of His own. In other words we are already possessed by the Holy Spirit of Almighty God.

When an exorcism is needed it is not a holy man vs. a demon entity. A true exorcism is simply the Holy Spirit of Christ with His sovereign authority and Glory casting or expelling an entity that has been inhabiting and possessing a person.

An exorcism is not of man but of Prayer being answered before one’s very eyes.

With the Second Coming of Christ being nigh demonic activity will increase.  It may well be that some of the ritualistic murders we hear about could be demon possessions. We read of one case where a son had killed his mother and cut her heart out. People that knew the mother and her son said they were a loving family. So how does this happen?  Especially the cutting of the heart out his own mother’s chest.  This would seem a possible candidate of possession.

Again, the very best defense is one’s Shield of Faith and a loving family.

Demon possession is not what we see on t.v. or in film. No they are far too subtle to be exposed that way. When a person is taken by the “devil at his will” one will notice personality shifts. The possessed will most likely become a loner type. The possessing demon is breaking the possessed down for full ownership of their life.

A full on possession will be identified by increased strength (Mark 5) and by a change in voice. They will speak of things that the person would not know or be familiar with. They do not speak ill of Christ as one would think as they “believe and tremble” at the very sounding of His Majesty’s Mighty Name.

An exorcist is not of some elite fraternity. No. Paul tells us that God has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings” Peter states that we are “Partakers of the Divine Nature.” With that being said, each Christ-ian who is intimate with God and has a great measure of Christ’s faith can state clearly and directly, ” In the Mighty Name of Christ Jesus you are charged, you are compelled, you are commanded to leave this person, this family, this home as the LORD rebukes thee”

“…an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.”  (Acts 21:16 b)

“Enoch walked with God…” (Genesis 5:22)

“Noah walked with God…”  (Genesis 6:9)

 

The Hebrew word that is translated into “walk” has this meaning,  “To go on habitually or up and down.”

To go on habitually.  This sums up the aged mystic. The Aged mystic walks and dwells in the Presence of God habitually, “I am continually with [T]hee.”

Many who hear the term mystic usually think one of two things. Many think a mystic is of the occult on the level of a wizard. Others think Catholic and therefore not relevant.

This is not so. A Christ-ian mystic is one who has learned to “pray without ceasing” and to “be instant in prayer” All believers should strive to be a mystic as again, the mystic walks with God continually. The prophets were mystic as was David, as was Paul.

The mystic seems to have a spiritual intuition, if you will. In the dark ages  and prior to the reformation the Bible was not allowed in the hands of the people. Only the “learned” priests could have access. Yet though the Scriptures could not be read personally on a daily basis there were some who had the Scriptures within. It is as if God breathed His truths into chosen men and women. The Church of those days may have kept the Scriptures under lock and key but the Word of God can never be bound.

The aged mystic had God always before them, He was always in their thoughts… He was the center of their thoughts. They would pray without words, they simply dwelt with God in a higher plain. They may not have had the Word of God available to them but the God of the Word was continually front and center in their thoughts and lives.

The aged mystic can be recognized, usually by his want of alone time to be with God. In the Book of Acts Paul’s companions had chartered a ship to take them to their destination but Paul chose to walk to the destination. He had chosen to “walk with God” instead of traveling with beloved brethren. The aged mystic would rather be alone with God than to be in the company of people. This should not offend the people left out as this is simply the way of the aged mystic. God is his first love and nothing will pull that asunder.

Some of the mystics of the past include Brother Lawrence, Meister Eckhart, Augustine, Gregory of Nissa, Madame Guyon, Bernard of Clarviex, and A.W. Tozer. One may not agree with some of their thoughts but generally speaking the aged mystic will leave one desiring a deeper intimacy with God.

“…an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.”  (Acts 21:16 b)

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”                                                                                                                                                (Galatians 3:3)

“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of man?                                                                                                                                           (Colossians 2:20-22)

 

One of the great enemies of grace is legalism. Legalism is a type of control that quenches the Spirit’s liberty. The liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. We are to stand steadfastly therein. The only boundaries that Christ has set for the believer is to stay within the boundaries of one’s love for Christ. Augustine said, “Love God and do as you please.” Because you see, if one loves Christ one will gladly keep His words and charges. This is grace. John, in his first epistle says it well, “His law is not grievous to us.”

However, the old legalist does not see things as clearly. The old legalist relies on the “thou shalt nots” of man’s traditions and made up standards. The old legalist does not trust the Holy Spirit to fulfill His sovereign office. The old legalist must needs keep control.

The old legalist focuses on the outward standards, like apparel, entertainment, hair styles, and Bible versions. He calls it worldliness. However, the sad irony is that the old legalist is all worldly because that is always his focus.

Legalism started in the garden when Eve added the, “Touch not” to God’s warning concerning the tree of knowledge.

The old legalist can usually be identified by his pride and his King James Bible. They tend to be strong on the headship of the husband, and getting others to believe or think like they do. The old legalist is very judgmental of other denominations. He is also BIG on SERVICE. We have heard of one who said, “if there is no work in Heaven, well then….I don’t want to go.”  Beloved, that is prideful ignorance of grace.

The old legalist serves…serves..serves because he must. The Christ-ian under grace serves because he loves to …as did his Master.

The old legalist may have been in church for years and years but he has not come to the truth of grace.  What is sad is if the ability to “serve” was taken away from him there would not be much. He has not learned to “Be still and know that I am God.”

The old legalist is not an independent thinker… he is told what to think but not how to think. The legalist really is a sad case for he is a caricature of the Christ-ian.

“… an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.”  (Acts 21:16)

 

In our last post we wrote about the importance of the aged Christ-ians in our midst or in other words and a little more harshly stated, The importance of the aged Christ-ians that dwell in the midst of a prideful, pretentious and largely ignorant generation of Christ-ians.

We used the example of old grapplers that were/are able to take on grapplers in their youth and prime. We also listed different types of aged Christ-ians we have observed. We prefaced our writing by stating that no one belongs exclusively to any one type as we all have dispositions that can change at times, and for a time. However, people do seem to generally fit a type that defines them, good or bad. Also there are some who are not aged in years but are aged in the Spirit as there are aged Christ-ians who are still babies in the Spirit. Aged does not always = wise just as youth does not always = inexperienced.

The types we listed were:

• The “Aged Knower”
• The “Aged Mystic”
• The “Old Legalist”
• The “Aged Recluse”
• The “Old and Angry”
• The “Aged Glower”

We begin with the “Aged Knower” This believer is an example of those believers who have seemed to graduate from believer to knower, metaphorically speaking. This type has a great measure of faith gifted to him. He has proven himself in the “little things” and God has entrusted him with “greater things.” This person knows God in a deep and intimate way. This is the type of Christ-ian that gives others a real sense of godliness. This believer has been tempted, exercised, tried and has come forth as gold. He is truly God kept. The LORD is his shepherd and he does not want. This knower has “forgotten more than many will probably ever learn.”

The Believer who is spiritually sensitive is aware of this knower’s presence. When one departs from this old disciples presence and a presence it is, he is aware that he has just had an experience with one of God’s choicest.

This Christ-ian stands confidently in a crisis when others cannot. This person’s vocabulary is mostly made up of, “Yes, Lord”, “Thank You, Lord”, “Thou Knowest all things, Lord”, “Here Am I, Lord”, “Great is the Lord my God” and many other statements of ripened, exercised, and experienced faith AND faithfulness….(your writer just felt the goose bumps…May God, be greatly praised.)

This Aged Knower is closer to his predestined end of Christ-likeness than some in today’s pulpits. This example of Christianity is not sinless but he does learn to sin less. This knower is fully aware of his emptiness and gross depravity outside of Christ. He is also fully aware of God’s pleasure in his “creaturely newness.” He is aware that he is better than others of the old creation still, in Adam for this knower is and has eternally been and will be everlastingly  “in Christ.” Christ is his confidence, he has learned to be in God’s Presence continually as David, “I am continually with [T]hee.” He knows that to “endure until the end” one must perpetually “[C]all upon the [N]ame of the Lord and thou shalt [persevere and endure].”

We are sad to report that we have not met many others like this. And yes, we are cognizant that by using the word others we put ourself into the “Knowers.” This may seem, to some as boastful, arrogant and self-proclaiming (see our post, “Humbleness confused with Arrogance”). However, it is not. i very readily and happily confess with great joy, whether in season or out of season, that all that I am is of God’s Grace ALONE. i am a person defined by the faith of Christ. The life i now live, i live by the faith of Christ. If taken away from me i would be n0thing. One is ripening when one KNOWS himself/herself to be N0thing outside of Christ Jesus, Who loved me and gave [H]imself for me.

With Christ at one’s side, with Christ in front, with Christ at one’s back, and on top how can one not be confident, comforted, steadfast, anchored, restful and peaceful? This type of aged believer KNOWS “Whom [he] hath believed.”

There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. (Acts 21:16)

“…[P]ray for them which despitefully use you.  (Latter part of Matthew 5:44)

 

We have been a wrestling observer since our teenage years. We enjoy the history of Pro wrestling, the business side of pro wrestler, and the spectacle that is pro wrestling. We truly enjoy the old days of wrestling…old school. The definition of old school is very much dependent upon one’s age. When we speak 0f old school wrestling we are speaking of OLD SCHOOL WRESTLING. We speak of men like Martin “Farmer” Burns, Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Lou Thesz, Ad Santel, Frank and Karl Gotch, and Geo. Tragos.

There are not many old school wrestlers like that anymore. Some may use a gimmick of old school or throw back but there are not many old school in spirit or at their core. Some may object and drop names, like K. Angle, B. Lesnar,  S/W. Regal and a few others. These truly are legitimate examples of true grapplers,  shooters, stretchers, shooters, and hookers. But they do not seem to have the old school spirit. By old school spirit we mean the first hold is a handshake. The old school wrestlers would make much of wrestling holds and hooks. Old school honoured the science of human chess. The holds/hooks/wrestling was on display more so than the wrestler.

There is one exception however. There is still one man that links old school chain wrestling to the form we settle for today.

Mr. Bob Backlund is from Old School, Wrestler-ania, USA. Mr. Backlund is currently contracted to WWE as a life coach. His “thing” is kind of a Farmer Burns type mentor/coach/ trainer. Recently I saw a very large wrestler speaking ill of 77 year old Mr. Backlund and his protege when out of the back comes 77 year old Backlund and attempts to use a cross face chicken wing on the man 2-3 times his size. The larger began screaming in pain and flailing. However, before Backlund could lock the hook in Titus O.Neil, who in real life is a celebrity father of the year award winner and seemingly upstanding man, O’Neil escapes and BODY SLAMS Backlund! Darren Young, Backlund’s protege then comes to the aid of 77 year old Backlund who took the big bump.

One may ask why we have given play x play action on a pro wrestling match. If the reader was focused said reader would have taken note to the multiple times we called attention to the elder wrestler’s age. We were making the argument that an elder, experienced wrestler could still be formidable in the October of his life. We could use Lou Thesz as an example as well. He wrestled his last official match at the age of 79 (Seventy-nine, years old, methinks). It was a good lengthed match against an experienced Japanese wrestler much, much younger than himself. We could reach back to WWII time and demonstrate the ease in which Strangler Lewis, a then over-weight  almost blind  and ( 70 +) seventy plus year old man would train young GI’s in hand to hand combat. He would dispatch 18 (eighteen) year old soldiers in (3) three minutes or less!

Our argument then is this, The aged should be as much lauded upon and seen too as a new born child. We agree that the youth are the future leaders but it is the experienced aged that will provide the map.

This is especially true with the Christ-ian faith. The apostles teach the great importance of the aged and we have God’s Word that He will uphold and keep the aged believer. This writer is (45) forty-five years old and we have learned “of the LORD” a great many, many truths and principles. If He has taught us at this age so much what has He taught the more aged?

One who would despise such a wealth of Christ-ian experience is ignorant, prideful, probably man taught and man trained and sees this fountain of wisdom as “old fashioned.” Beloved, these are some of the very believers that are being despitefully used by the church today that are praying the blessings the church enjoys today.

When we survey the Christ-ian landscape we find a number of different types of Aged believers. Let us preface our thoughts first. No believer fits in exclusively to any one type. There are, of course much cross over. That would be similar to saying one is always only happy or one is always only angry, etc.

We will bullet point the types and then in subsequent postings we will (DV) expand upon the types and their traits.

• The “Aged Knower”
• The “Aged Mystic”
• The “Old Legalistic”
• The “Aged Recluse”
• The “Old and Angry”
• The “Aged Glower”

Again Reader, No one has exclusive rights to any of the types above. There is cross-overs as we all have our dispositions that can changer at times or for a period. However, it does seem that most do fit, generally speaking into a type.

We look forward (DV) to writing on this subject.

Numbers 6:24-26,

BKL

 

 

 

 

“…[W]hom say ye that I am”   (Matthew 16:15)

 

There are many important questions posed in Holy Scripture

• Paul asked the Person’s Whose glory shineth brighter than the noon day sun in a desert, “What would [Y]ou have me to do…?”
• Moses asked the Voice from the burning bush, “Whom shall I say sent me.?”
• The religious hierarchy of Israel asked the people’s Prophet, “Tell us plainly, Art [T]hou the Son of God?”
• Again the religious hypocrisy asked, “By what [A]uthority do [Y]e these things?”
• The book of Job asks, “How can a man be justified before God?”
• The Ephesian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?”
• The Book of Hebrews asks, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…”

The questions above were all answered at the time they were asked or in God’s own good time. However the question in the text above must be answered personally by each person for themselves. Peter gave his reply to the question put before him.

The question remains in effect and awaits reply from persons living today and until the Inquiring Christ returns. We are told in Scripture that everyone shall confess the Lordship of Christ however, at this day of confession one will confess upon one’s knees before one’s Conqueror and it will only act as the witness against one’s own self. It will be a confession made to late. At a time of war if a king demands one’s willful and peaceful surrender and one’s life long loyalty and it is refused when the walls begin to fall it is too late. Christ is that King that all mankind has rebelled against. He demands your personal surrender, submission and life long loyalty now. This world has refused His rightful Lordship by stating very clearly, “We will not have that [M]an reign over us.”

The problem with that statement  and claim is this… He is already Lord over this world and it’s people has and continues to live in rank disobedience and open rebellion against His will and His law. The price for this betrayal is eternal and everlasting punishment under the nail pierced Hands of the Lord that has power and authority over all flesh, all life and all death.

For those of us that have already answered the ultimate question upon bent knees have found the Lord to be the faithful, merciful, loving Lord he promises to be. We have found Him to be the very Present Help in our time(s) of need. We have found Him to be a good Shepherd that keeps us from want. We have found peace and rest in the kingdom of God’s dear Son

The Inspired Word of God declares Jesus Christ to be the Eternal Word of God Who …is God and became [F]lesh and dwelt amongst humanity. Isaiah testified Him to be the “Mighty God.” Paul testifies that Christ is “the Only Potentate.” Paul further testifies along with  John that  Jesus Christ is “King of kings and Lord of lords.” Even demons confessed Him to be the Son of God, “We know [W]ho [T]hou art, [T]hou art the Son of God.” The soldier that pierced the blessed side of the Crucified Christ fearfully admitted, “This truly [is] the Son of God.”  One of the malefactors crucified with Christ’s confessed Him as Lord, “Lord, remember me…” to which Christ replied, “This day thou shalt be with [M]e…” Many of those that received healing at the Hands of the great Physician confessed Him to be just Who He made claim to be.

C.S. Lewis, in one of the great arguments to Christ identity states that one will actively or passively confess Jesus Christ to be either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.  Jesus Christ would have to be either a liar extraordinaire that has made fools out of many of the great minds and thinkers through out the centuries, a lunatic on the level of Hitler that desired and sought to make a new race of man in his own vile image, or the Lord and Christ of the Eternal God, Who is and will continue to make many men into new creatures in Christ and will bring them to their predestined end, Christ-likeness.

To those of you that confess Christ to be your own Lord and Saviour, “Blessed art thou.”

To those that openly and militantly deny Christ and His claim to be the Son of God, Lord over all, and the Only Saviour, “Woe unto thee.”

To those who are uncertain and long to know the truth and the right way to God, Christ says to you, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Paul, the apostle of Lord Jesus testifies, “Neither is there salvation (a life that is abundant and fruitful that will continue for all eternity) in [A]ny [O]ther: for there is none other name under [H]eaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”

In closing we shall relate to you Peter’s answer to the Question put before him by the Lord Jesus Christ, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To which the Christ, the Son of the living God replied, ” Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which art in [H]eaven. And I say unto you, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build [M]y church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Christ is and will continue to build His church upon the steadfast, unmovable and certain rock of the Christ-ian’s confession to the Lord Jesus’ Divine Identity.

Christ Jesus is LORD.

“And when the tempter came to [H]im,  he said, If [T]hou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But [H]e answered and said, I is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but bu every [W]ord that proceedeth out of the [M]outh of God.”

“Then…the scribes…and the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from [T]hee, …[H]e ..said…no sign shall be given…

 

It is so very often we here the words or sentiments like those from the title of this posting. Someone may ask a person, “and why do you want to do this or that?” To which the person being asked will respond, “to prove to everyone that I could do it.” When ever an answer like that is given the questioner and others that hear the answer reply very positively to the response.

The person that would answer that question in the fashion, if young, is being trained to be a people pleaser or one that relies upon the feed back of others. If the person that answers is already an adult s/he is already one.

We understand a person taking negative feed back and using it as inspiration but that is not the same. The only person one needs to prove anything to is one’s self. One need not even prove anything to God for God already knows. It is often God’s purpose in testing for one to prove to one’s self one’s heart or one’s ability to accomplish a task for God has given His child all the spiritual blessings to accomplish that which is put in front of them, even if it’s a mountain or turning the world upside down.

The texts we chose above demonstrates Christ’s refusal to prove Himself to others. He came to do His Father’s perfect will not to prove to other’s His abilities. He would use His sovereign power over nature, over man, over the supernatural not to prove He could but to demonstrate or to manifest His divine identity. During the closing hours of His earthy habitation He was brought to the clown king, Herod and was charged by said clown to perform His magic. Christ’s regal and royal response was…silence. There was only One true King in that hall that day and it wasn’t the puppet clown king Herod. I am sure those in attendance made a comparison between the to and there was no question or contest to the true Potentate. King Jesus exuded Divine Royalty while clown Herod oozed and reeked of alcohol and classlessness.  King Jesus has nothing to prove that His silence and His regal Person could not. Reader, All Hail the King!

Another uncrowned king also never saw it important to prove his right to the throne but left it to his God and his God’s good and perfect timing. King David did not make attempts to overthrow the Divinely rejected and renounced Saul. Instead He followed the path God laid down for Him. He trusted God’s anointing and God’s good and faithful Word. He did not as his wicked and (l)ucifer like  son would do to him years later. He had nothing to prove not even to himself for God would prove all to him as He does to all that believe Him.

The great man and leader Moses did not seek to convince others or prove himself to others. Instead he left it all to God. Ask Miriam and Korah who was God’s chosen leader during the Exodus. Miriam would tell you very quickly, Moses . Korah actually could not answer for the earth swallowed him and his followers for their attempted overthrow and coup.

Beloved, You are who who God and made you to be and you will do as God has ordained you to do. Take confidence in His perfect way. You need not prove anything to anyone God shall do the proving. God proved Moses by standing by him. God proved David by giving him a promised kingdom and a good reign that was carried on by Solomon. God proved Christ and Christ’s claim by raising Him from the dead and setting Him at The Right Hand of sovereign Power.

There is nothing that needs proving to doubters that God, His perfect planning and divinely accurate timing will not.

Consider this, What if one does not prove one’s self to others? One has proven doubters right. What does that do for future desires? It will cause one to doubt one’s self never mind others. One should follow the wise counsel of James, “Say not that we will…ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall…do this or that. (Parts from James 4:13,15)

One would do well to follow the Lord’s counsel as well, “seek ye first the Kingdom of God…”

“He that is spiritual…is judged by no man.”

“…I will send [H]im unto you…And when [H]e is come…”  (Parts from John 16: 7,8)

 

One could ask probably anyone what a Christ-ian believes about God the Father and God the Son. They would most likely tell the questioner that Christ-ians believe God the Father created the world and God the Son died for sinners. Most people, unbelievers included would know that much about the Christ-ian faith. However, if one were to ask people about the Holy Spirit there would not be so many accurate answers.

The Holy Spirit is known as the “Third Person of the Holy Trinity.” It seems some view Him therefore to be a third rate deity. He is less than the First and Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Some cults view Him as a force of God (J. Witnesses, not Star Wars fans). These cults deny Him as a Person and He denies them as children of God.

The Holy Spirit has personality traits recorded in Scripture. He is said to: speak, intercede, lead, guide, remind, teach, give gifts…as He wills, take life, be grieved, and to depart.These are all acts performed by a person. The Holy Spirit of God, The Holy Spirit of Christ is a Person co-equal to the Father and the Son.

With the Holy Spirit’s Personage being established what role does He take in the life of the believer? What are the responsibilities of His Divine office? What is His intended purpose once He takes up habitation in the believer? or simply put what does the Holy Spirit do?

The Holy Spirit has one intended purpose, one responsibility, one role in the life of the believer. The Spirit indwells the Christ-ian in order to make him holy. In other words, the Spirit is there to bring you and I in line with that which pleases God. He is present in the believer to bring said believer to his predestined end…Christ-likeness, thereby glorifying Christ.

While the Spirit has His one focus, the Glorification of Christ by bringing Christ’s brethren to holiness, it is manifested in many, many ways.

When the Spirit inhabits a believer He will make changes inside that are noticeable on the outside. As one missionary put it, “When Someone as big as God comes into someone as small as me there’s gonna be a change.”

This process of change can be or rather will be painful. God is likened unto a man pruning a plant. The pruner will cut away that which is not fruitful or is diseased or is simply growing in the wrong direction. So it is with God. The Spirit will begin to prune away that which is not fruitful, diseased, or that which is leading the wrong way. It will hurt.

However, God will replace that which was taken with something that is far better.

One of the changes the indwelling Spirit will make is one’s world view.  Another is what one loves. Other changes include the believer finding joy and satisfaction in new things. The believer will have a new found peace and the bad things he used to enjoy he enjoys no more. The believer will examine his life and dispatch that which is not good for him. All of this is evidence of the Spirit’s Presence.

In terms of his changed world view, political ideologies may shift, his views on evolution and creation may change. That which was acceptable before is no longer acceptable. He may notice that what he had in common with friends is not present anymore. We said it will hurt. Even family relations may grow cold as Christ says He comes to bring division.

Some may think we are making the faith look harsh and uninviting. We are simply explaining what the Holy Spirit will do when He takes up Residency in the believer.

We are reminded of Lucy and her siblings asking Mr. and Mrs. Beaver if Aslan was safe. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver laughed and repeated the children’s question as if it were a very, very silly question. Aslan?…safe? Mr. Beaver repeated, of course not,  Mr. Beaver replied, but he is good. (paraphrased from C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.”)

Is the Holy Spirit’s process of conforming one to holiness pleasant and fun? Of course not, but it is good.

Application: I ask you, reader… in the words of St. Paul to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.

• Do not trust a prayer said long ago.
• Do not trust another who confirms your good standing before God.
• Do not even trust your knowledge of God or His Word.
• Do not trust your feelings, either or any experiences you may have had.

Do not look to a prayer, an opinion, your knowledge, or an experience to make your calling and election sure.

• Look to see if the Spirit is bearing fruit in your life.
• Look at that which you love.
• Look for a Christ-likeness in your spiritual mirror, the Word.
• Look at your response or reaction to hardships.
• Look at your prayer life. This is a great revealer to one’s standing before God.
• Look to the value and affection you place upon God’s Word. Another revealer.
• Look at the people who like to be with you and the people that do not want to be with you. This speaks a lot to the type of person you are.
• One’s faith and/or Christianity is easily measured with one question, What think ye of Jesus Christ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                What the Lord Jesus was 2000 years ago to His beloved disciples is what the Holy Spirit is to you and i today.

The above quote and title of this posting is from one Mr. Sherlock Holmes. It was his trade to know what others did not. It was essential to his success. Investigators and interrogators will tell you to avoid asking questions you do not already know the answers to.

“…[T[hy rod and [T]hy staff they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4 b)

” [the Lord Jesus] needed not that any should testify of man: for [H]e knew what was in man.”  (John 2:25)

 

In Keller’s classic book, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” He expounds upon that great psalm with great insight. This insight comes from years of experience as a shepherd of sheep.

One of these insights is on the shepherd’s staff. Keller explains that one of the uses of the staff is to lift up the sheep’s heavy wool and to look underneath at the skin to determine the health of the sheep and it’s skin.

This is a beautiful picture of a loving Christ-ian pastor’s relationship with those God has sent him to. It is the pastor’s call to use his staff or Bible to inspect the lives of his flock. Sometimes he will have to look “underneath” the believer’s wool. He does not do this to expose the believer’s “underneath” to others or to hurt but to help the believer to live a healthier Christ-ian life.

Some have called this meddling into things that are not the pastor’s business. This is not true. This is the pastor performing his responsibility that has been given him by God above. Believe me, You would rather the pastor uncover hidden sin and help you confess it than for God to bring it to light.

Looking underneath the believer’s wool is not especially pleasant for the preacher. It is something he wishes he did not have to do. But do it he must. Pastor’s will give an account to God sometime for those to whom God had sent him. It is better to take care of hidden sins and issues here than it will be there.

While it is not pleasant for the pastor to look underneath a Christ-ians wool he is always prepared to look underneath the wool of the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

It is the pastor’s business to know what others do not.