06/05/2018
Do you allow God to dwell with you? Is His spirit within you, and does it repair and revive your brokenness? When we first believe, we are inclined to wear our faith like a new suit; we feel good in it, and want to wear it all of the time, but it is still just a garment... never going any deeper than our skin. However, when the Holy Spirit arrives, and we breathe Him deep into us, something remarkable happens... our faith suddenly wells up from within us like a spring, and the external faith that we once put on, and could take off, becomes the person as well as the clothing.
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Isaiah 57:15 ESV
This is one of the rare occasions in the Old Testament that speaks of God’s indwelling. In a way the Old Testament is more about the suit of clothes, and less about the inflowing if God into our innermost being. The Holy Spirit rests on prophets, priests, and kings, but even then, is only there for a time, and not as much to repair the man as to bring relief to the children of Abraham... to heal the wounds of a people, and a nation.
Then comes the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and He begins the process of healing the body and the soul of mankind. This healing culminates in His sacrifice on the cross, and in the resurrection and ascension that follows, but goes beyond that. Jesus reaches into us and extracts sin, and death so that the void which it leaves behind can be filled...
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
John 16:7 ESV
Jesus opened the way for us to become changed completely, to become the vessel of the Holy Spirit so that the indwelling of God could be realized, and the healing of the brokenness we once carried within us could be made forever real.
“Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:21-22 ESV
You will notice in this scripture from John 20 that three preparatory things happened; Jesus greeted the apostles with His peace, He told them that they were about to become like Him, and He breathed the Holy Spirit unto them... but it wasn’t over yet because they had to receive the Holy Spirit that was offered... they had to take it in... they had to breath into themselves the very breath of Christ.
This was an amazing transformation, and these men would never be the same again because God not only brushed by them, or blew about them like a mighty wind, but actually took up residence within them. This was the second installment of the breath of life, and it is for all those who God calls... all those who believe.
“For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."”
Acts 2:39 ESV
I was at the hospital last night where my niece was in labor and preparing to give birth. Labor, and delivery are awesome in many ways, but It brings to mind the very first event in every life... the newborn that has just been plucked from the womb must breath into itself that first gasp of air, because without it there can be no life. This is what was happening at Pentecost. The apostles were taking that first breath of life which brought God... life itself... within them. Just like a newborn child; the hope of life that is in the hands of every midwife, or doctor, suddenly, and instantly becomes real in that precious and desperate breath... and they cry out.
So I ask you; have you breathed in the breath of Christ that He has offered? And I ask again... Do you allow God to dwell with you? Is His spirit within you, and does it repair and revive your brokenness?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who suffered, died, was resurrected, and sits at your right hand. I thank you for the sacrifice He made that I might be washed clean of sin, set free from death, and made pure before you, but Holy Father I thank you further for the breath of life that He offers every believer... the breath that carries with it your Holy Spirit. Thank you Merciful Father for this second offering of the breath of life, and for your indwelling that comes rushing with it like a mighty wind into us. Thank you for taking what we once wore like a robe into the temple, and transforming it into the smoke of the sacrifice, the flesh and blood of the lamb, that flows forever into us. We thank you not only for the healing of our bodies, but for the healing and recovery of our souls. Now we carry within us your Spirit, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the good news for all the world to hear. In us resides the rebirth of Adam, and the death of the sinful man we once were. Praised be your name Gracious Father, for Holy, Holy, Holy are you, and Holy your Spirit which quickens me.
Rich Forbes