The Promise of Power

The Spirit of LORD is on me and in me, because Jesus was crucified.

Galatians 3:1-5

Acts 1:8 

Ezekiel 36:26-27

the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how

Mark 4:26-29 (New International Version):
“He also said, ‘This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.'”

In this parable, Jesus is illustrating the nature of the kingdom of God, comparing it to a farmer who plants seeds and watches them grow, even though he doesn’t fully understand the process. It’s a metaphor for the mysterious and powerful growth of God’s kingdom on earth, which may not always be apparent or understandable to human beings.

Jesus said in Luke 8:11: “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.”

What does the word of God say?

The Word of God tells us that by believing in the Gospel, we receive the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). When we receive the Holy Spirit, we abide in Jesus and Jesus in us (1 John 4:13). As we abide in Jesus, the Father prunes us so that we can bear much fruit for His glory (John 15:2, 5).

A Temple bought with a Price

The concept of believers’ bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Spirit as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and through faith is indeed a central theme in Christianity.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul emphasizes the significance of the believer’s body as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. He reminds Christians that they have been bought with a price – the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Therefore, they are not their own masters but belong to God.

Jesus’ promise in John 7:37-39 further expands on this idea. On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus stood and invited all who were thirsty to come to Him and drink. By believing in Him, Jesus promised that rivers of living water would flow from within them. This living water represents the Holy Spirit, whom believers would receive after Jesus’ glorification.

Now, when Jesus refers to Scripture in this passage, He is likely alluding to various Old Testament prophecies that speak of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. One such passage is Ezekiel 47:1-12, where Ezekiel sees a vision of water flowing from the temple, bringing life and abundance wherever it goes. This imagery symbolizes the spiritual renewal and transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit.

So, when we put these passages together, we see a beautiful picture of how believers become temples of the Holy Spirit through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Through faith in Him, we are filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit, experiencing His presence, power, and guidance in our lives. Just as the water from Ezekiel’s vision brought life and healing, the Holy Spirit brings spiritual vitality and renewal to those who believe in Jesus.

As the river of living water flows out of believers, it brings life, nourishment, and blessings to the world around them.

Living by the Spirit: Insights from John 7:37-39, John 15:5, Galatians 2:21-3:2, and 1 John 4:13

Introduction:
The Bible offers weighty insights into the relationship between believers and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the importance of abiding in Christ and being filled with His Spirit. This essay explores the interconnected teachings found in John 7:37-39, John 15, Galatians 2:21-3:2, and 1 John 4:13, shedding light on the significance of living in the Spirit.

John 7:37-39:
In John 7:37-39, Jesus stood at the Feast of Tabernacles and proclaimed, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” This statement symbolizes the abundance of the Holy Spirit that believers receive upon faith in Christ. The imagery of living water denotes not only sustenance but also the dynamic, life-giving power of the Spirit. Without water we die physically; without the Holy Spirit, we die spiritually.

John 15:5:
In John 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the intimate connection between Him and His followers. He emphasizes the necessity of abiding in Him for spiritual fruitfulness, stating, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” This passage underscores the vital dependence of believers on Christ for spiritual nourishment and productivity.

Galatians 2:21-3:2:
Paul addresses the Galatians’ temptation to rely on works of the law for justification rather than faith in Christ. He emphasizes the futility of seeking righteousness through human effort, stating, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose” (Galatians 2:21). Paul reminds them that it was through faith in Christ, not works of the law, that they received the Spirit and experienced spiritual transformation. He challenges them to continue in faith, asking, “Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:2). Galatians 3:1 further emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice for righteousness and the reception of the Spirit. Paul admonishes the Galatians, saying, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.” Here, Paul reminds them of the centrality of Christ’s death for their justification and the bestowal of the Spirit upon believers.

1 John 4:13:
In 1 John 4:13, the apostle John affirms the presence of the Spirit as evidence of our union with God. He writes, “By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” Here, the indwelling of the Spirit serves as confirmation of our relationship with God. It is through the Spirit that believers experience communion with the Father and the Son, embodying the reality of abiding in Christ.

Conclusion:
The passages from John 7:37-39, John 15:5, Galatians 2:21-3:2, and 1 John 4:13 collectively emphasize the centrality of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. They underscore the necessity of abiding in Christ, the source of spiritual vitality, and highlight the transformative work of the Spirit in confirming our union with God. Living in the Spirit entails a continual reliance on Christ, a faith-filled surrender to His leading, and an acknowledgment of the Spirit’s presence within us. As we abide in Him and He in us, we bear fruit that glorifies God and manifests His kingdom on earth. It’s by faith in Jesus’ death for our sins that we abide in Him, and rivers of living water will flow out of our hearts. Galatians 5:4-5 further emphasizes this truth, stating, “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated (severed) from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.”

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

Jesus, the Son of God, endured the agony of suffering, the anguish of bloodshed, and the finality of death, all for the redemption of our sins. His sacrifice upon the cross, bearing the weight of our transgressions, has cleansed our souls and paved the way for our reconciliation with the Divine.

“With one sacrifice, then, he has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin.” – Hebrews 10:14 GNT

In the shadow of the cross, we find solace, for it is there that we discover our righteousness, our justification, and our holiness.

“For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.”

– Hebrews 10:14 NET Bible

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”- 1 Peter 3:18

In the embrace of His sacrifice, we are immersed, and filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Jesus became a curse to bless us.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, and so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14

Jesus is our Messiah, our Savior, He laid down his life, conquered death, and rose again, so that we may dwell in Him and He in us.

Let us request the Father to pour out His Spirit upon all, to save every soul, that they may bask in the light of His grace and mercy.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8