In continuation of my last blog post, how do we "stay" in Him. Let's look at what Jesus model for us in this. How did He live in this world and experience all the trouble we experience yet remain joyful at all times?
"And John (John the Baptist - not John the apostle) bore witness saying, 'I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He (the Spirit) remained upon Him (Jesus). And I did not recognize Him (Holy Spirit), but He (God the Father) who sent me to baptize in water said to me, "He (Jesus) upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." (Jn. 1:32-34).
Now read Matthew 3: 13-17.
Up until this point in Biblical history, the Spirit of God did not remain (or stay) with people. He would come and manifest Himself in that person for a season of time or for a specific reason, but He never remained with someone on an ongoing basis. This "remaining" was for Jesus - the firstborn of all creation - the true Son of God - to initiate and model. (Refer to Colossians 1: 13-20).
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever" (Jn. 14:16, emphasis added). Jesus' complete joy, imparted to us is made possible by our union with Him through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a gift when we become believers in Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit is confirmation of the promise of our inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14).
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will behold Me no more; but you will behold Me; because I live, you shall live also. In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you" (Jn 14:18-20 - italics added).
"In that day"? - what day is Jesus referring to?
"And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, which He said, you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts 1: 4-5).
So, it sounds like we should really get to know Holy Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The gifts of the Holy Spirit (or how He manifests Himself in us) - 1 Corinthians 12.
Lots of explore as we journey along. I hope you will join me in learning more about who the Holy Spirit is and how He wants to be active in our lives to bring us the complete joy that Jesus referred to; and lived in while He walked this earth.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Carri
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