"This is what God the Lord says--the Creator of the
heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that
springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who
walk on it: I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take
hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant
for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are
blind, to free captives from prison, and to release from the dungeon
those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:5-7 NIV).
The
Spirit of the Lord--poured into His Servant (Jesus Christ) and for all
who choose to serve Him--this is the promise fulfilled in the person of
Jesus Christ and is still being fulfilled in those who follow Him and
obey the Father. When He returned to heaven, He promised that He would
provide us with the Comforter--His Spirit--so we would be able to do all
things.
Through the record of events as
noted by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we know that Jesus did all that
had been prophesied by the prophet Isaiah and what is more notable is--Jesus
telling us that we would do greater things than He did because we would
have the power of His Spirit to guide us, strengthen us, and teach us.
We
know what Jesus did being filled with the Spirit of the Father--but
what are we doing--being filled with His Spirit? Has His promise
atrophied in those who claim to be filled or do we need to stay
before--seeking constant refilling and when we are filled, are we doing the greater works that He said we would do?
If
we are filled (not just sealed as some would argue) with Holy
Spirit--are we seeking to open blinded eyes, laying hands on the sick so
they will recover, interceding on behalf of those in far-away places as
well those under our own roof? Are we visiting those in prisons
promoting the message of Good News--a Risen Savior has taken upon
Himself all of our sins that we might abundant life? Are we the beacons
of light that shine brightly, leading those in darkness out of the
dungeons of circumstances and oppression?
Before you ask yourself these questions, please think about what being filled with Holy Spirit means versus being sealed by Holy Spirit. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:30, "
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for
the day of redemption." To understand the difference between being
sealed and being filled--think about the contents of an envelope. We are the envelope--an empty vessel--until we are filled and then sealed.
Now, many are filled with various content which is why Paul admonishes
us to not be filled with bitterness, anger and slanderous tongues. Once the envelope is sealed--nothing else should be able to get into it, unless it is opened and its content revealed. When we first repent and accept Jesus as our Person Savior, we are sealed against the wiles of the enemy, but when we receive the infilling of Holy Spirit, we are empowered from within to withstand the fiery darts the enemy throws our way.
When
we understand that our bodies are the "temple where Holy Spirit
resides" we would be careful as to how we treat our bodies--providing
Holy Spirit a clean place in which to live so He can clearly communicate
with us all we need to know. Choosing to live in sin grieves Holy
Spirit and He will leave since He will not dwell in a defiled place. When He leaves, the seal is broken and all that is within us exposed for all to see.
What
are you doing with the infilling of Holy Spirit? Are you seeking the
lost to bring them to the light of love and has your seal been broken
because of the content within you--is not of Holy Spirit?
Looking at the world today--and the number of professing Believers--I'm
not sure Holy Spirit is guiding many people and I can tell by the chaos
that most of our government leaders do not even Holy Spirit has left
the building and there are voids in their hearts that the enemy has
filled.
But all is not lost for
the Lord promised He would save for Himself--a remnant--the few who will
remain faithful and filled, serving Him at all times, and allowing
Holy Spirit to direct them. On that remnant--the infilling of
Holy Spirit resides within and they will serve The Lord until the day of
His returned, completely sealed--immune the tricks of the enemy.
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