God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son: The greatest Spiritual battle ever fought – part nine
Welcome back! This week we will be reconvening our examination of the Holy Spirit’s position as a member of the triune God-head.
If you read last week’s blog post, you discovered the reason why I missed two Friday posts. If you haven’t read last week’s post, I would encourage you to do so. Last week was a memorial to my brother Terry who went to be with the Lord. I miss you Terry!
In chapter thirteen, I ended by saying, “Next week we will find out more about being filled with the Spirit.” So… here we go, better late than never I suppose. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? In the Bible we find many accounts of what Jesus would do when asked a question such as that. He would tell a story, a parable. If that was the way He responded, then that is certainly good enough for me. Here is my story:
“Prior to setting down at my computer this evening (I’m writing this on Thursday night by the way), I enjoyed a wonderful meal. Shirley and I had Chicken Cordon Bleu, scalloped potatoes, seasoned green beans and topped it off with a helping of Tapioca pudding with real whipped cream, the kind that you squirt from the aerosol can! YUM!”
“Let me tell you, when I got up from the table I was full! To just say I was full doesn’t describe it effectively! I was so full that I wouldn’t have been able to eat another bite if I tried! Did I mention that I WAS FULL? Couldn’t eat anymore! As I typed this menu just now it didn’t sound as appetizing as it did three hours ago. Do you know why? I WAS FULL!”
Okay… I have belabored and overstressed the point enough, I think you get the idea. I was full! Obviously I’m using this story to illustrate a point, just as Jesus did with His parables. Now let’s take a look at the real reason for my metaphor:
Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)
15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is a little insight into this passage of Scripture: the verb “be filled” is a present tense verb. It means to do it regularly, or continually. Just as tomorrow I will be hungry again and food will once again sound good to me, we are exhorted to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit!
Does the message of Ephesians 5:15-20 (shown above), indicate that a little snack on the Holy Spirit of God is enough? Will an occasional visit with the Holy Spirit fill us to the place where we need to be? Or do we need to feast on Him often so that God can work for us and through us, to the degree that He desires? And hopefully to the degree that we desire as well!
Luke 4:1-2 (NIV)
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Jesus himself, being fully human, received power and direction from the Father through His close relationship with the Holy Spirit! Praise the Lord Almighty!