I am so very grateful to have the sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world, restored communion with Father God, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit of Truth. As a human race, we can be so indifferent to the unrighteous motives of our own hearts. We may see our character and motivation through rose-colored glasses, but we often use a microscope to assess and tear apart the motives and reasoning of others. We are inclined to exalt and place ourselves in the center of life. Even with the love of God seeking to transform us, we can simply want God to affirm and bless our perspectives. It is only the Spirit who, with Christ in the center of life, can convict us of ungodly thinking, reveal the Truth to us about judgment, and move us along in the Father’s loving care.
In our LIFE Lesson on Wednesday evening, we continued in our study, The Inner Struggle for Holiness. We are looking at the whole of Scripture and focusing on active covenantal faith, righteous fruit production, spiritual family purpose, and the future judgment of those who desire to be friends of God—those responding to God’s transforming gift of love in Christ. So far, we have studied the fruit of love, joy, peace, and self-control—with love and self-control being the bookends of Christ’s character.
Jesus spent his ministry talking about the Kingdom of God—a Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit where Jesus is the King—the Center of Life. To enter this Kingdom, we must take a humble posture, exalt Jesus, and serve his purpose for believers—to partner in the reconciliation of our neighbors to God. As we serve God, we must always remember this word, “partnership.” We are not asked to go out in our own strength to change hearts and the world. We are commanded to wait for the Gift of the Spirit. While we wait, we live by faith, produce fruit, love and encourage the spiritual family to remain faithful even in suffering, and seek to judge ourselves by the character of Christ—our First Love.
In our passage today from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke writes about some essential information Jesus gave to disciples before he ascended to heaven. “Do not leave Jerusalem [City of Peace]…until…” (Acts 1:4). The Spirit is our promised Gift and divine Helper who causes us to see by faith, reveal the Truth, serve in unity, and live for eternity.
We are called to partner as servants who are allowing the Lord to begin his healing transformation of our own souls by filling us with love [agape] and producing within our hearts the character of Christ. Let the Spirit give you vision through a posture of humility and you will see more clearly how to be a blessing to the Kingdom and extend honor and glory to our King.
Acts 1:1-5 NLT The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1 In my first book [Gospel of Luke] I told you, Theophilus [friend of God], about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with [in] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this reminder of our great need for the work of the Spirit. We need a proper vision and the Spirit provides it as we seek the Truth. We need empowerment to go when and where you send us; the Spirit provides your power and grace for each assignment. May you be glorified in all we do. We pray for your Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.