This week in my class on World Religions, I finally came to Christianity. After studying and teaching both major and several minor religions of the world, I noted a common thread. Some teach good morals; a few believe there is only one God; one accepts the existence of a heaven and a hell. Christianity also shares these tenets. However, beside Jesus being the resurrected and living Savior, one other aspect sets them apart—in all but Christianity, you are on our own.
In no other belief system does a supposed god send his spirit to help the followers on their journey toward redemption. Instead, the disciples labor, deny themselves, suffer the harshest conditions, and perform endless deeds by only their own human ability without help from any divine being. Ultimate deliverance from this life often requires many life times through multiple reincarnations. One religion teaches that after death, people stand at the gates of heaven and hell while their deeds are weighed. If their good deeds outweigh their bad, they enter heaven. On the other hand, if their bad deeds are greater than their good, they drop off into the pits of hell.
The LORD gave the Old Testament Law to teach mankind that we cannot gain redemption on our own nor can we even live in this sinful world without His help. Only through His Son, Jesus the Christ, can we receive the gift of salvation. The disciples were troubled when Jesus instructed them just prior to His crucifixion, telling them He was departing. He reassured them the Father would send the Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter and Helper, and He would be with them forever. He would not leave them on their own. This promise was to all who believe.
It would require an entire book to examine all that scripture teaches, that the Holy Spirit does for us. Here are a few: He teaches us; He guides (leads) us; He intercedes for us; He encourages us. He is also present prior to anyone accepting Jesus as Savior. Jesus said, He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). He convicts people of their sins, their need for Christ’s righteousness, and the fact a judgment is coming. Then after we accept Christ and receive the forgiveness of our sins, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts and empowers us to live in this world. In addition, He equips us with spiritual gifts, enabling us to minister for Him to others.
As I wrote last week, this life can be difficult at times. Without the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we will not succeed. There is one essential key for this to happen. We must allow or permit the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. The problem we encounter is that our human nature drives us to be independent, not wanting help. However, God made us to be dependent on Him. Adam and Eve brought sin into the world by operating beyond dependency on God. They made the independent choice of eating the fruit from the tree, which He commanded them not to eat.
The Father delights for us to depend on Him, even in the smallest matters. In some areas, I am the quintessential ‘absent minded professor’, especially in my woodshop. Hardly a day goes by when I do not search and search for a tool or a part without success. Finally, I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me where to look. It always amazes me how quickly I discover what I been trying to find on my own. If He will help us in this kind of small matter, how much more will He help us with the major issues of life?
The Holy Spirit is not merely, an impersonal force from God. He is God with all the attributes of God. He has personality with all the emotions and feelings of any person. He can be grieved; He can be blasphemed; He can speak; He can have fellowship with us. In other words, He is God the Holy Spirit, a personal being, who lives within us and desires to assist us in living and ministering for Him. I have always enjoyed gazing at the stars at night. Psalms 19 says, the heavens are telling of the glory of God. I am sometimes overwhelmed as I look at the sky or as I view the pictures from the Hubble telescope that the creator of this vast universe lives in me. Every time, I ask myself why I worry about anything?
Paul writes, be filled with the Spirit. Filled is not some confusing theological term as some have made it. We can also translate the original word ‘filled’, as ‘be controlled by’. His desire is that we allow or permit Him to control every part of our lives from the smallest to the largest. This happens when first we acknowledge that we need His help and then yield control to Him in whatever situation this life brings. You may not feel anything. It is an act of faith. Watch for the results. You cannot see the wind, but you can observe its effects.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
In contrast to my title, ‘You Are on Your Own’, you are not on your own. The LORD is with us and we can choose to allow Him to help us live a life for Him this week.