Unpacking Ephesians: Chapter 1

 

Brief background to the Book of Ephesians

Today’s Ephesus is located in modern day Turkey. At the time the Church was established in Ephesus (+-AD50) the region was called Asia Minor and the Roman Empire had made the city of Ephesus a provincial capital and it hosted around 250,000 residents—the third largest city in the Roman empire.

Ephesus was known as a city of size, wealth, and power. The major economies of the city were rooted in trade and idol worship. The temple of Artemis, located in the heart of the city, was prized as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. From the ocean ports to the theatre to the stadium to the library, Ephesus had so much to offer its inhabitants and visitors and it was considered to be a major cultural centre in the Roman world.

The church at Ephesus was established by the Apostle Paul approximately 15-20 years after the death of Jesus. Paul visited the city on his second missionary journey through the ancient world (Acts 18:19). After planting the church in Ephesus, Paul put a couple named Pricilla and Aquila in charge of the church. Later a man named Apollos joined the leadership team as the main teacher of the local churches in Ephesus. Years later, Paul returned to the city of Ephesus on his third missionary journey and stayed in the city for three years, which was the longest time Paul spent with any of his church plants (Acts 19:8-10).

Paul was eventually forced out of the city when the silversmith union staged a riot (Acts 19:26-41). The reason for this is that the gospel was impacting the sale of trinkets and idols devoted to the goddess Diana.

Over the years, Paul maintained close contact with the leadership of the church in Ephesus. Paul’s farewell to the elders and leaders of the church in Ephesus is recorded in Acts 20. It is one of the most moving and emotional passages in the Bible.

Paul wrote a letter to the Churches in and around Ephesus in about AD62 from prison in Rome and this is what we call the book of Ephesians in the Bible. He appointed his protégé, Timothy, to pastor the church in Ephesus. Later, the apostle John took up the pastorate from Timothy and pastored the church for many years until he was forced into exile on Patmos.

We know more about the church in Ephesus than any other church in the Bible. Seven of the New Testament letters were either written to or about the church in Ephesus, including Ephesians, first and second Timothy, first, second, and third John, and Revelation. The preaching team in Ephesus during this period was very strong and spiritually deep. Paul, Apollos, Timothy, and John all pastored the church in different seasons.

However, it declined in its faith sometime after the Apostle John was exiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. In the end, Jesus pointed out to them that they had lost their first love (Revelation 2:1-7).

The word Ephesus means desirable, and in many ways, it was certainly a desirable place to live. In the ancient world, Ephesus was a centre of travel and commerce. Situated on the Aegean Sea at the mouth of the Cayster River, the city was one of the greatest seaports of the ancient world. Three major roads led from the seaport:

• One road went east towards Babylon via Laodicea

• Another to the north via Smyrna

• A third south to the Meander Valley

On Paul’s third missionary journey (A.D. 54-56) he spent between two and three years teaching in the city (Acts 19:8-10). He spent his time addressing false doctrines and pagan practices. Paul’s teaching in the rented school of Tyrannus was so successful that those who practiced magic brought their books and burned them as an act of repentance (Acts 19:18-20). As the sale of silver idolatrous images began to fall off, the silversmiths caused an uproar (Acts 19:26-41). Shortly after this dust-up was settled Paul left for Macedonia. It was during this stay in Ephesus that he wrote 1 Corinthians.

Several months later (A.D. 57) Paul met with the Ephesian elders on the nearby island of Miletus and made his farewell address (Acts 20). Their mutual love is evident as these tender-hearted men weep over what God has done – and they know they will not see Paul again.

Tradition says that Ephesus became the home of the Apostle John (mid-late 60’s). This may or may not be true, but circumstances make it very possible, if not probable. He was supposed to have taken Mary, the mother of Jesus, there to live (cf. John 19:26-27). John wrote three letters (1st, 2nd, and 3rd John), probably no later than the early A.D. 90s. He wrote from Ephesus and probably to the churches mentioned in Revelation 2:8–3:22. The church by that time had some difficult problems and had apparently undergone a church split.

False teachers had arisen in the church who claimed to have deeper knowledge of the things of God. They claimed to have the “secret” to knowing Christ, but in reality, they denied His bodily incarnation and His deity. They taught many other heretical concepts. Their motive may have been to take some elements of pagan religion and blend them with Christianity, in order to make it more acceptable to the pagan culture.

It was probably during the reign of Domitian (81-96 A.D.) that John was banished to Patmos. He was released and died during the reign of Trajan according to Iraneus (an early church historian). Tradition relates that at a very old age John, too feeble to walk, would be carried into this church’s assembly and would admonish the members, as little children, to love one another. During this period the Lord gives His assessment of the Ephesian church through the apostle John (Revelation 2:1-7). He compliments them on their good works but rebukes them for leaving their first love (Revelation 2:4). He commands immediate action from them to repent, remember, and repeat their first works. (Revelation 2:5).

There is no way of us knowing if they corrected their problem or not, but sadly, the church died sometime during the second century.

In later centuries Ephesus became a leading city of meeting for the councils of the early Roman church – at the birth of Roman Catholisism.

Paul’s main purpose for writing this letter to the Church in Ephesus and consequently to today’s Church, you and I, is to instruct and encourage all believers in their calling to unity as the Body of Christ, and in their growing into Christian maturity.

Let’s now take at look at what we learn from the Book of Ephesians starting with chapter 1 for this article. The other chapters will be examined later on, each chapter in a separate article.

Ephesians 1

Note: All verses from Ephesians Chapter 1 are written in light italics and all other scriptures are in bold italics.

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[some earlier manuscripts do not have ‘in Ephesus’] the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the first two verses above Paul reinforces the fact that he is an Apostle of Christ and thus carries His authority in the Church. He then goes on to pronounce a blessing of God’s grace and peace over us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! The custom in the Church at the time was to share these letters with the surrounding Churches in the area!

We (the Church of born again believers) have every spiritual blessing in Christ.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

In verse 3 Paul sets us a very important lesson for us in our fellowship with God and that is to always give him praise, glory and honour for all that we receive from Him in the endless grace He shows to those in Christ Jesus – those of us that are born again and know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We should always display an attitude of gratitude for the gift of salvation we receive from God through Christ Jesus – we are saved by grace so that we cannot boast in our own strength!

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

In the second part of verse 3, Paul goes on to say that in Christ Jesus we receive every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

Now here, my dear readers, it is important for us to know that although we live in the world we are not of the world and that because we are born again, we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are seated with Him in heavenly places. Jesus Himself tells us these things!

John 17:16 (NIV)

They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Ephesian 2:6-7 (AMP)

6 And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, 7 [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].

So, our next question is this: “What are these spiritual blessings that we receive in the heavenly realms?”

In verses 4 – 14 Paul ‘lists’ these spiritual blessings, all of which we can only receive from our belief and faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. They are imputed to us by His Holy Spirit.

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

• We have been chosen by Jesus to be Holy and blameless.

And because of this the Church has become a royal priesthood and a people that are special to God and receive His endless love, grace and mercy!

1 Peter 2:9-10 (AMP)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—

• Through Jesus we receive our sonship (and daughtership) in accordance with the Father’s will.

John 1:12-13 (NIV)

12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

• Through Jesus we are freely given God’s glorious and all-encompassing grace.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us.

• Through Jesus we have redemption through His blood.

• We have forgiveness of our sins in the richness of God’s grace.

With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

In Christ Jesus, God reveals to us the mystery of His will for ourselves in particular. God takes great pleasure in doing this!

• This will be put into full effect when our Lord returns.

• This will bring unity (in the Spirit) to all things in heaven and on earth under Jesus Christ our Lord.

• This will be done in all the wisdom and understanding of God!

Daniel 2:22 (NIV)

He reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with him.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

• In Jesus we were chosen and predestined according to God’s plan for each of His children.

• In Jesus God works out everything for us in accordance with his will.

Romans 8:28-30 (AMP)

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. 30 And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].

12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

• We, the Church of Jesus Christ (those who are born again) are created and predestined to bring glory to HIM!

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

• We have God’s mark(seal) on us which sets us apart from the world as belonging to God in His image.

• The Holy Spirit is our seal, and He is a deposit that guarantees our redemption.

Without the continual infilling of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives we will not be able to walk the path that God intends for us according to His will and we will not be able to receive our crown of eternal glory when Jesus returns!

So, what is this sealing that verse 13 talks about? It says we have been marked with a seal. The Greek word for seal in this verse is: sphragizo (pronounced sfrag-id'-zo) Strong's #4972 and its full spiritual meaning is:

“to set a seal upon, to mark with a seal, to seal for security from Satan since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter in a sealed envelope), to hide something from someone else, to keep secret from others in order to mark a person or a thing as belonging to God. This sealing by Holy Spirit confirms and authenticates us as belonging to God in much the same way that a document is sealed of stamped as being authentic – the real deal!”

In Paul’s day seals were used in at least four ways. First, seals were sometimes put on letters to guarantee that it was genuine and that it was written by who it claimed to be written by (1 Kings 21:8; Esther 8:8). Kings might seal their letters with a signet ring. We do something similar when we get a document notarized.

A seal was also sometimes placed on goods or merchandise that was traveling from one place to another to indicate who they belonged to and where they were going. It indicated ownership (2 Cor 1:22; Rev. 7:2; 9:4). Again, we do this with our possessions today all the time. We write our names in our books, or on our kid’s clothes when they go to school. Ranchers brand their cattle. They are placing a mark on it to show ownership.

The third way seals were used in Paul’s day was to show something was authentic and approved (John 6:27). Sometimes when we buy clothes, in one of the pockets will be a little piece of paper saying it has been inspected and approved by someone.

The fourth type of seal was for protection or warning. Remember when Jesus was put in the tomb, Pilate told the soldiers to put his personal seal upon the tomb (Matt 27:66; Eph 4:30). This was to protect the tomb and warn everyone to stay away and keep out!

So, Paul says here that God has placed a seal upon us as well. It is to guarantee that we are genuine, it shows his ownership, who we belong to, it shows that we are approved by God, and it provides us with protection or security from the evil one. He also confirms this in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22!

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (AMP)

20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; 22 it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfilment of His promise of eternal life].

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Paul closes this first chapter in typical fashion by giving thanks to the Lord for the Church in Ephesus not only by pronouncing a blessing upon them but just as importantly reminding them of the greatness of God who has placed all things in the hands of His Son – Jesus Christ our Lord and saviour!

Paul knows that the life of a born again Christian is not his own but belongs to an Almighty God in Christ Jesus and this is reflected in his careful choice of words and turn of phrase like:

Vs 15 “Your love of all God’s people” – we need to love all our brothers and sister in Christ as Jesus does!

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Vs 16 “I have not stopped giving thanks” – we need to give God thanks for all things especially our brothers and sisters in Christ!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Vs 16 “remembering you in my prayers” – we mustn’t stop continually praying for all things especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Vs 17 “asking God to fill his children with the Holy Spirit” – we mustn’t stop asking God to continually fill us and our brothers and sisters in Christ with His Holy Spirit! Only in this way will our lives bring glory to Jesus!

Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be (continually) filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

Vs 18 “that you may know the hope to which he has called you” – we must continually recognise the fact that we have been called to do great things in Christ Jesus and that our future hope for eternal life is in Jesus and Him alone!

John 14:12 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Vs 19 & 20 “and his incomparably great power for us who believe” – it is so important that every born again Christian knows and continually taps into the great power that God gives us who are in Christ Jesus, the power that lives in us is the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Christ from the dead!

Acts 1:8 (AMP)

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”

Vs 21 “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion” – we need to recognise, retain and reiterate to ourselves and others that Jesus has supreme authority over all and that His is the Name above all names and we are able to do all things in the power of the name of Jesus – we are co-heirs with Christ!

Romans 8:17 (AMP)

And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.

Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Vs 22 & 23 here I can say nothing more than what has been written already, “22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Prayer
Heavenly Father I pray in the name of Jesus that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and with a hunger and thirst to read and study your Word more and more that my life in the power of the Holy Spirit would bring glory, honour and praise to the name of Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed the Bible is not!

The Fruit of the Spirit: Are you producing good fruit - fruit that will last?

 

The Fruit of the Spirit

Paul’s letter to the Galatian Church in chapter 5 of the Book of Galatians speaks to us about life in the Spirit and tells us about the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. 

Now where did this Biblical concept of fruit originate? Well it originated with the teachings of Jesus of course when he was leading and teaching his disciples and preaching to the Jewish people.

But one of the first teachings on fruit came through John the Baptist who we all know was filled with the Holy Spirit from when he was in his mother’s womb. 

 

Luke 1:14-15 (NIV)

14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.

John the Baptist's word on fruit went like this:

Matthew 3:7-10 (NLT)

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

This was a harsh word to the religious leaders of the day – repent and start producing good fruit, or you end up in hell!

Jesus is our focal point and the reason why we exist as born-again Christians. Everything we are and everything we do should be done to ensure that we become His imitators – to be conformed to His image day by day. We can’t do this unless we are Spirit filled, obedient to His every word, loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbours as we love ourselves!

Ephesians 5:1-2 (AMP)

1. Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; 2 and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

In the book of John, we will find the most significant teaching Jesus gave on the bearing of fruit in our lives that we will be able to find in the Bible. Let’s examine the Lord’s teachings on fruit before we actually move into Paul’s teaching in Galatians.

Jesus, the True Vine

John 15:1-7 (NIV)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[cleans] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Let’s do an analysis of the above eight verses to try and emphasise the importance of what we are being told.

Verse 1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

Jesus is the source of our salvation and through Him we receive all that God has for us. God the Father lovingly tends and nurtures us through Jesus as a gardener tends a garden. We are connected to God through Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

2. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes [cleans] so that it will be even more fruitful.

If we don’t bear good fruit, then it is God (the gardener) that cuts us off! When we are bearing good fruit, God prunes us – this can be quite painful at times – so that we will produce more fruit.

3. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

We are cleansed from our sin by the Word and work of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus is the Word.

4. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

We must stay connected to Jesus (keep your eyes on Him) because without Him and by the leading of the Holy Spirit we can do nothing, and we will not be able to bear good fruit.

5. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Repeat of the previous verse. Jesus emphasizing the importance of remaining in Him and Him alone.

6. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

If we don’t remain in Him, we will be cut off and end up in hell.

7. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

When we remain in Jesus, our voice (prayers) is heard by God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit interceding on our behalf.

8. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

When we bear much fruit, we prove that we are Jesus’ true disciples, doing this is to the glory of the Father and Jesus the Son!

A very strong word from the Lord about remaining in Him and bearing good fruit and the consequences if we do not!

Let’s have a look at what else Jesus tells us about bearing fruit:

John 15:16 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

The above two verses tell us that born again Christians (true followers of Christ) are chose and appointed to go and produce fruit that will last and when we do, our prayers in the name of Jesus will be answered!

Now what kind of fruit will last? We know from the Bible that the flesh bears the perishable, but the Spirit bears the imperishable!

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

As born-again Christians we are born of the Spirit – imperishable seed!

John 3:5-8 (NLT)

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

And as we are now born of imperishable seed, we need to be producing fruit that will last! The fruit that will last is the fruit of the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

If we walk by the Spirit, we won’t be pleasing ourselves and gratifying our sinful nature, but we will be walking in the will of God – His good, pleasing and perfect will and we will be empowered to do the things Jesus did – and even greater things.

John 14:12 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is

contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

When we, the Church, are living life in the spirit and operating in the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will be naturally produced in and through us and will become evident for all to see.

Let’s now compare the fruit or acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit that Paul tells us about in Galatians 5 so that we know exactly what kind of imperishable fruit we need to be producing in our lives as born-again Christians.

Acts (fruit) of the flesh – Galatians 5 verses 19-21
Sexual immorality – Impurity - Lustful pleasures – Idolatry – Sorcery – Hostility – Quarrelling – Jealousy – Outbursts of anger - Selfish ambition – Dissension – Division – Envy – Drunkenness – Wild parties – Other things like these

Galatians 5:19-21 (AMP)

19 Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], 21 envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5 verses 22-23
Love – Joy – Peace – Patience – Kindness – Goodness – Faithfulness – Gentleness – Self-control

Galatians 5:22-26 (AMP)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [l]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

25 If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. 26 We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

The supernatural things that come to us as born-again Christians come to us through the Holy Spirit, so it stands to reason that it is our responsibility to believe in the things of the Spirit and to be filled with the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

The above scripture implies that if we do not accept the things that come from the Spirit, and we are not Spirit filled, then our walk as Christians will not be able to reach its full potential and calling in Christ Jesus!

The fruit of righteousness

In the book of Philippians, Paul talks to us about ‘the fruit of righteousness’ and that we must be filled with it so that we can be pure and blameless when Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

So now, let’s work out what this ‘fruit of righteousness’ should look like in the daily life of a born-again Christian.

What is righteousness?

Righteousness is not something we can produce on our own. Our righteousness can only be achieved through Jesus Christ being the Lord of our life!

Righteousness is our right standing with God because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross – He cleansed us of all unrighteousness by taking our sins upon himself and dying for us.

Apart from Christ we have no right standing (righteousness) with God. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing and are nothing. Jesus is the vine and God is the gardener – we must remain in Jesus in order to bear good fruit in the power of the Holy Spirit! This is our righteousness in Christ Jesus.

The Christian life is not a life that can be self-produced by our own efforts or bought with money. The Christian life is a life that can only be supplied to us by faith in Christ Jesus, believing the Word and being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

The Christian life is a life of abundance, it is a life of service in the love of God through Christ Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit!

John 10:10 (AMP)

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

 Romans 8:32 (NIV)

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NIV)

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

James 2:14-19 (NIV)

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

When we are living life in the spirit and operating in the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will automatically be produced in and through us and will become evident for all to be see – a life of righteousness! Faith in Christ Jesus put into action by us doing the works that God predestined us to do!

Proverbs 12:28

In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.

Prayer

Heavenly Father I ask in the name of Jesus that you continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and continually guide my feet on the path of righteousness that I may bear good fruit, the fruit of the Spirit, and bring glory to your Name. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed the Bible is not!

Are You Plugged in to God's Power Source?

The Holy Spirit - the Church's Power Source!

Once we become born again (have repented from our sin and have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of our lives) and are baptised, there is a ‘power’ that God makes available to us in order for us to become effective ministers within His Kingdom and to fulfil His purpose in our lives and for us to be conformed more and more into His image. 

We have all been predestined to do the works that God has prepared for us to do, but we need to be moving in the power of the Holy Spirit in order to do them.

 In Romans 8, Paul calls this ‘Life in the Spirit.’

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Let’s have a look at what happened with Jesus just before he began his ministry amongst us.

Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

So, here Jesus is baptised in order to fulfil all righteousness (verse 15) and we see that he was filled with the Holy Spirit (the descending dove) and this was pleasing to God.

Directly after his baptism Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil and by the Word of God the ‘tempter’ was defeated – this was Jesus moving in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 4:10-11

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

It was directly after this battle with Satan that Jesus began his Spirit filled ministry to the people!

Luke 4:14

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

Here we see that Jesus was connected into the power of the Holy Spirit in order to fulfil his predestined ministry on earth. This is the example that the Church needs to embrace both individually and corporately to be effective ministers in the world and overcomers of the world.

The Bible commands us to be imitators of Christ, this means in every respect. We as his followers and as His Church needs to follow His example and be fully connected to and filled with the Holy Spirit in order to live victorious lives and be effective ministers to a dying world!

Just as a country is connected into a power grid in order to run effectively so the Church needs to be connected into God’s power grid to run effectively and to become effective ministers in Jesus’ name.

In the above picture we see God's power grid of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – one God, three persons. It is from this power grid that the life of a Christian should be run! The Church, both as individual people and as a corporate entity, are able to connect into God’s power grid by plugging in to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:49 (AMP)

 Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 (AMP)

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”

Luke 24:49 tells us that  before we do anything we need to wait to be clothed with power from on high - Just as Jesus was when the Holy Spirit descended upon like a dove, and just as the disciples were at Pentecost when they were energised by the Holy Spirit by what looked like tongues of flame. 

This is what happens when we wait and get plugged in to His power!

Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

We receive power from on high, we speak the Word, boldly, miracles, signs and wonders follow us wherever we go and the Lord adds to the number of those being saved!

God dearly longs us to receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit - the more we ask to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, the more effective we will become in our lives of service to Him. Only in this way will His will and purpose for our lives be fulfilled!

 If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”

All we have to do is to keep asking Him to continually fill us!

Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)

 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

How do we plug in to the Holy Spirit both as individuals and corporately as an entire congregation?

With loving (agape) devotion to:

• God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• and to His Word.
• and to each other.
• and by believing in Jesus.
• and by continually asking God to fill us with the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did.

Matt 22:37-39

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Acts 2:42

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

1 John 4:20

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

1 Cor 13:1-3

If I don’t have love: I am a clanging cymbal; I am nothing; I gain nothing!

Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:12-14

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Are you plugged in to the Holy Spirit?

Is your congregation plugged in to the Holy Spirit?

Do you live according to the flesh or according to the Spirit?

John 6:63 (AMP)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life]. 

Do you need to make changes in your life to be conformed to the image of Christ?

Jesus has so much he wants to reveal to us and this he does through the Holy Spirit. As his disciples we are only able to glorify the name of Jesus when we are plugged in to the Holy Spirit and walking in obedience to His Word!

John 16:12-15 (NIV)

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

Our Christian walk should be one of life in the Spirit, when we walk in conjunction with the Holy Spirit we walk not according to the dictates of the flesh, which is sin!

Galatians 5:16-18

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Prayer

Father in Heaven

I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and keep me always plugged in to your power source so that in all I do and say I will be a blessing to the Church and others and that my actions and speech will always bring glory, honour and praise to Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading the article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed - the Bible is not!

Dying to Self! What does this mean to a Christian?

 

What does the Bible say?

In the above two verses (John 3:30-31) John the Baptist is talking to his followers and is telling them that he is not the Messiah he is only the messenger, the one who was sent ahead to prepare the way for the Messiah. He goes on to say that now that the Messiah has appeared his God given job is done.

He goes on to tell them that that Jesus is greater than everyone and everything and that he (John) is nothing compared to the Messiah! Jesus is from heaven and John is from the earth – the one who comes from heaven is above all!

John has recognised that what he does and what he has done is nothing in comparison with what the coming Messiah will do, and he testifies to his followers that he was merely God’s messenger and a servant to Jesus Christ the Messiah!

In other words, because he had accepted that Jesus is the Messiah and his function was to prepare the way for Him, he lived his life on for Jesus and not for himself – this is the first prime example in the New Testament of a follower of Jesus dying to self to serve his Saviour!

The Apostle Paul is another prime example of a born again Christian (a true follower of Jesus) dying to himself and his own earthy aspirations in order to serve his Saviour and fulfil his God given purpose in life once he was born again!

Paul states quite clearly in the below scripture that he dies to self, daily, which tells us that dying to self should be an integral part of a born again Christians daily walk in Christ Jesus!

1 Corinthians 15:31 (AMP)

I assure you, believers, by the pride which I have in you in [your union with] Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily [I face death and die to self].

1 Corinthians 15:31 (KJV)

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

We are to follow Paul’s example as he followed Christ’s.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

And again, in Galatians 2, Paul elaborates on his confession of dying to self and how he now lives for Christ alone and states quite emphatically that he considers himself to be crucified with Christ and no longer lives for his own earthly desires.

Galatians 2:19-21 (NIV)

19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

The above verses clearly tell us as born again believers in Christ Jesus that our old selves were crucified with Christ and that we are no longer to live in those sinful ways. We were saved by grace, and we now live by faith in Christ Jesus who died for us on the cross! We belong to Jesus!

And in the below verses from 5 Galatians, we are told that when we belong to Jesus, we have nailed our sinful passions and desires to His cross and have crucified them there with Him. And most importantly we are told that when we belong to Jesus we are to live by the leading of the Holy Spirit in every part of our lives!

Galatians 5:23-26 (AMP)

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

25 If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. 26 We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.

In Christ Jesus the born again Christian is a New Creation

The Bible clearly states that when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour we become born again and are new creations. Our old sinful selves have gone, and we are renewed by the Holy Spirit. We are no longer to live in sin as we did before as we have been cleansed of sin by the blood of Jesus and we have received a spiritual awakening from the Holy Spirit that brings us new life in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

When we become born again, we are to die to our old corrupt and sinful selves and live our lives following the example of Jesus in obedience to God’s Word – the Bible. The Bible teaches us how to live our lives and renew our minds and attitudes in order for us to become more Christlike.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

In Christ Jesus we are new men and women! And by following Jesus and reading and studying the Word and applying it to our lives, we become more and more conformed to Christ’s image. This is the sanctification process in which the Holy Spirit leads and guides us.

Colossians 3:9-10 (AMP)

9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self.

We are no longer slaves to sin and we should not live in a continuous lifestyle of sin.

When Jesus went to the cross and died for us, He took our sins upon himself in order for us to die to sin and live a life of righteousness (right standing with God) in Him!

1 Peter 2:24-25 (NIV)

24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The Shepherd and Overseer of our souls is of course Jesus. We need always remember that we are not our own we belong to Him and always strive to become more and more like Him by following His ways, by being obedient to the teachings of the Bible, by being doers of the Word and not Just readers and by being continually filled with the Holy Spirit and being led and guided by him in ALL things!

In Christ Jesus we, as born again Christians, have died to sin and we are no longer to keep on sinning because we are now united with Jesus!

Romans 9:1-7 (NIV)

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Count the cost of following Christ.

If we do not die to self, we cannot call ourselves Christians and followers of Christ.

Luke 9:23-27 (NIV)

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

As born again Christians we are set apart from the world – our sinful selves!

We are no longer to live according to our old sinful nature because in Christ Jesus we have been set apart from our old, sinful ways. We belong to Jesus, body, soul and spirit! We are in the world but not of the world.

John 17:15-16 (NIV)

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Romans 12:1-2 (AMP)

Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

My dear Reader, we can no longer live according to our old selves and according to the standards of the world, we cannot have any harmony with the world as friendship with the world means enmity with God! We must be fully submissive to God and resist the devil at ALL times.

James 4:4-7 (NIV)

4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud

but shows favor to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

We are to honour God with everything we are in Christ Jesus because we belong to Him!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Philippians 2:12-13 (AMP)

12 So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. 13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

Further scriptures on dying to self for your personal meditation and study.

These scriptures along with the ones in the main text are for life application. Be doers of the Word and not just readers. Reading and studying the Bible will benefit you nothing if you do not consciously and deliberately apply them to your life!

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Romans 6:3
Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Romans 6:11-14
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

1 Peter 4:1-2
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Matthew 20:25-28
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

You are not your own – You belong to Jesus!

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father
I pray that you would help me to live my life according to your will and not mine. I ask that you would help me not to live according to my old self but according to my renewed self in Christ Jesus. I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and keep be fully submissive to you and your Word. I ask that you protect me from the evil one and help me to live my life led by your Holy Spirit so that it will bring glory to Jesus. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for you reading and studying the Bible for yourself. I am flawed – the Bible is not!

The Person of the Holy Spirit: Who is He and What does He do?

The Person of the Holy Spirit – Who is He and what does He do?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Let’s examine scripture and discover just who the Holy Spirit is.

Genesis 1: 1, 2 (KJV)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Okay then, here we are told that God created the heavens and the earth and right there with Him at the very beginning is the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit). Now let’s jump forward a few thousand years to the New Testament and the book of John – not the Baptist, but John the beloved disciple of Jesus, the one who wrote the chapter.

John 1:1-5, 14 (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Here in John 1 and in the very first verse, John takes us right back to the beginning of the book of Genesis, Genesis 1 verse 1.

Now, what do these Genesis and John verses tell us? Simply this, they expose the full Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit – The Holy Trinity!

Just to summarise these verses quickly, we have ‘In the beginning’:

a. God (and the Word which is Jesus) – The Father.

b. Jesus (the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us) – The Son.

c. The Holy Spirit hovering over the waters – God’s Spirit and thus the Spirit of Jesus.

So, does this answer our original question? Who is the Holy Spirit? Yes, I think so!

The Holy Spirit is God, just as Jesus is God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity.

Just like there are three parts to an egg – yolk, white and shell, three parts but one egg!

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

The Lord is the Spirit

The apostle Paul in the verse above tells us that God is Spirit.

Now that we know who the Holy Spirit is, let’s see how He relates to us as believers.

Although the Trinity or the Godhead is one God, when He (God) relates to the world (us), He becomes three distinct persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

So, in the Trinity, God the Father is the supreme creator, Jesus the Son is our Saviour and the Holy Spirit is the power of God and thus Jesus in action, he is also our comforter and guide and He is also called the Spirit of Truth.

God sees believers as sinless as we belong to Jesus, and now, because Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, He has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us as our counsellor and to lead us in all truth to fulfil God’s purpose for us here on earth. He is alive within us – energizing and empowering our born-again human spirit. He is Jesus living within us!

John 14:16-17 (AMP)

16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know you.

In the above two verses Jesus is comforting the disciples as they are crestfallen and apprehensive about their future because He is leaving them to return to the Father. He tells them not to be dismayed because the Father will send the Holy Spirit to replace Jesus to be there guide in all things. The Holy Spirit is both the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Jesus – all three are the one true God – the Holy Trinity.

In verse 17 Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as a person – ‘him’ three times and ‘he’ once!

The Holy Spirit is a Person!

Everything the Holy Spirit does is for the Glory of Jesus and, with the Holy Spirit guiding us, everything we as believers do should also be to glorify Jesus! And again, in the below verses Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as ‘he’ or ‘him’ numerous times!

John 16:7-15 (NIV)

7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

In Genesis 1:1 the Hebrew word for God in is ‘Elohim’ which is the plural form of the Hebrew singular word ‘Eloah’ which would imply that Moses, the writer of the Book of Genesis, was familiar with the Holy Trinity (because of his close relationship with God) as we know them today – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Genesis 1:1-2 (AMP)

1 In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.

In Deuteronomy 6:4 Moses (the writer of Deuteronomy) again uses the plural word ‘Elohim’ for God. Implying Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Deuteronomy 6:4 (NIV)

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

The use of the word "one" in this verse is commonly interpreted to mean that there is only "one" God. However, from a Hebraic perspective, the Hebrew word אחד (ehhad, Strong's #259) can mean a "unit" within a unity – again today we call them the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

It is also interesting to note that in the same verse above Moses uses the term ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one’ and the Hebrew word for Lord here is ‘Yaweh’ – #Strong’s 3068 (Jehovah). In the New Testament when the word ‘Lord’ is mentioned, it is always in reference to Jesus! So I think we can safely conclude that Moses was referring to God the Father and God the Son and that the Spirit of the Father and the Spirit of the Son are one – the Holy Spirit.

What does the Holy Spirit do?

1. Most importantly He will bring glory to Jesus!

John 16:14-15 (NIV)

14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

He will make known to us, His Church – those of us that are born again, all that He receives from Jesus.


2. He is the power of God.

The Holy Spirit is the creative, enabling, and empowering force of God. He was with God at the beginning as was Jesus.

In Genesis 1:1-2 above we are told that when God created the world the Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters. In some Bible translations it says the Holy Spirit was brooding, which gives us the picture that He was waiting to birth something and He was waiting for God’s command to do this!

Genesis 1:2-3 (AMP)

2 The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

God spoke and the Holy Spirit created whatever God spoke through Christ Jesus and to His (Jesus’) glory. Throughout chapter one of Genesis god speaks and everything was created in this way through Christ Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity working in perfect unity!

Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

3. The Holy Spirit gives us life and when we become born again, He lives within us, Christ in us the hope of glory – everlasting life in Christ Jesus!

Genesis 2:7 (AMP)
then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].

John 6:63 (AMP)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life].

John 14:17 (NIV)
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

4. He seals us as sons and daughters of God. In biblical times, a seal acted as a legal signature. 

Like signing a document would today. It validated the content of the document. The Holy Spirit acts as our seal for our adoption papers as God’s sons and daughters. He validates our position as sons and daughters of God – brothers and sisters of Jesus!

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

5. He empowers us the be God’s witnesses hear on earth – our testimony to others of having Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. 

Having the Holy Spirit in us means having power to be a witness. He gives us that power. We are to tell others about what Jesus did for us at Calvary, how he rose from the dead and reigns in victory!

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

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.”

6. He will convict the world about sin, righteousness and judgement.

John 16:8-11 (AMP)

8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; 10 about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.

7. He will guide us into all truth and he will tell us of things to come.

John 16:13 (NIV)

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

8. He bestows upon us the gifts of the Spirit for us to use for the common good of the Church so that we can build up and edify each other.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (AMP)

4 Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good.

9. He enables and empowers us to live life in the Spirit and overcome the desires of the flesh which is sin. 

This is the freedom He bestows upon us in Christ Jesus! This is how we walk the path to maturity and are conformed more and more into Christ’s image!

Galatians 5:13 and16-18 (NIV)

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

10. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance as evidence of our salvation. 

Without the Holy Spirit working in and through us we would be unable to produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Are we producing good fruit in our lives and living in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus!

Are the fruit of the Spirit evident in all we do and say!

Galatians 5:19-26 (NIV)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

11. He enables us to receive the imputed righteousness of Christ so that God sees us as cleansed and free of sin. He sets us free from the law of sin and death and enables us to live a life free of condemnation in Christ Jesus for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Life and it is He who will give us resurrection Life just as He brought resurrection life to Jesus after the crucifixion!

Roman 8:1-11 (AMP)

Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], 4 so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power]. 5 For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; 7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.

9 However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]. 10 If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

12. He conforms us to Christ’s image as we allow him to lead us in all things and in all truth!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

13. He will teach us all things and remind us of what the Bible says and teaches us! Of course. you must make it your mission to read and study the Bible constantly!

John 14:26 (AMP)

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

14. He intercedes on our behalf in our weakness when we do not know what to pray! Just ask the Holy Spirit to help you!

Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

15. He is our helper. 

It is by the infilling of the Holy Spirit that Jesus lives within us! Our Lord sent Him to us for this very purpose so that we can close fellowship with him and so that we can be empowered to live our lives in the Spirit as the Apostle Paul encourages to do in Romans 8 and Galatians 5.

John 16:7 (AMP)

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

This is why the Apostle Paul commands us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and to follow the way of God’s agapé love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts! When we do this God’s love is instilled within in all we do. It is God’s love in us through Christ Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit that covers a multitude of sins and becomes in us a powerful witness and testimony to the unsaved world!

Ephesians 5:18 (AMP)

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

1 Corinthians 14:1 (AMP)

Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].

1 Corinthians 16:14 (AMP)

Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

16. He helps us in the process of sanctification as we walk our road to Christian maturity. 

To be “sanctified” means to be set apart as sacred. It means to be purified of sin and to spiritually mature to become more like Christ. This doesn’t happen overnight. It is a continual process for a Christian. We take off our old self and become a new person over time. We do become new once we are saved, but like a caterpillar, we undergo a metamorphosis during our walk with God.

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

17. The Spirit brings unity and oneness to the body. 

The Spirit unites others. It is the Spirit that unites the Father and Son in the Trinity and it is the same Spirit that unites the member of the church body. When the Holy Spirit is operating in a group of people, He unites them in love and the work of the Kingdom can be carried out.

Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)

3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The born again Christian should not be living their lives according to the flesh, but living live in the Spirit!

Throughout the New Testament we see the Holy Spirit direct people to do the will of God. He assists us in listening to God’s voice and, in faith, do what He is calling us to do. Be still and in prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what God wants for you and what He wants you to do. Ask him, also to equip you as you carry out His will.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would help me to live my life in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help me to know your Word and to do what it instructs in complete obedience. Help me to love as you love. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!