Wednesday: The Holy Spirit in Glorifying Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit was active during Old Testament times, though it does not appear that His Work was as extensive as in the New Testament era. With the coming of Jesus, the promised Messiah, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is intensified, and He gives His gifts to all believers.
Copyright Kevin Carden @ GoodSalt.com
While the New Testament tells us that the Holy Spirit is active in many different ways in our spiritual life and in the life of the church, perhaps His most important work is to glorify Jesus Christ.
Read John 16:13-14 and John 15:26. What does Jesus say is the work of the Holy Spirit? How is all other work of the Holy Spirit related to this central work?
Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit speaks not of Himself, but of Jesus. His work consists in elevating the redemptive work of Jesus. He keeps Himself in the background and puts the floodlight on Jesus. It has been aptly said that “the Spirit’s message to us is never ‘Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me’ but always ‘Look at Him, and see His glory; listen to Him, and hear His word; go to Him, and have life; get to know Him, and taste His gift of joy and peace.’ The Spirit, we might say, is the matchmaker, the celestial marriage broker, whose role it is to bring us and Christ together and ensure that we stay together.”-J. I. Packer, Keep in Step With the Spirit: Finding Fullness in Our Walk with God, revised and enlarged edition (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2005), pages. 57, 58.
This is highly significant. Any emphasis upon the work of the Holy Spirit that detracts from the Person and work of Jesus Christ is not from the Holy Spirit. As important as the Holy Spirit is for our spiritual life, He should never take the place that is due in our thinking and for our salvation only to Jesus Christ. Wherever Jesus is exalted, the Holy Spirit is at work. This is why we are called Christians, that is, followers of Christ (compare with Acts 11:26), rather than “Pneumians,” that is, followers of the Spirit (see Graham A. Cole, He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit [Wheaton, Ill.: Crossways Books, 2007], p. 284).
| Why is it so important for us to uplift the risen Lord in all that we do? After all, think about what Jesus has done for us. We owe everything to Him. How can we show our gratitude (see, for instance, 2 Thess. 1:11-12)? |
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For us and for all of the Universe, Jesus is probably one of the greatest demonstration of God's character! He can become our Savior, He can become our Master, but above all things, Jesus is the purest form of LOVE! Because God is love. We are just worried about so many things while we forget that Jesus is the link between our fallen nature and chance!
Having the Holy Spirit abiding within is even more than glorifying Jesus, it is Christ Himself in us. And it is as we allow Him to live through us, that we glorify Him.
“The Saviour is our Comforter. This I have proved Him to be.” {EGW, 8MR 49}
There is no comforter like Christ, so tender and so true. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. His Spirit speaks to the heart. Circumstances may separate us from our friends; the broad, restless ocean may roll between us and them. Though their sincere friendship may still exist, they may be unable to demonstrate it.... But no circumstances, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always there, one given in Christ’s place, to act in His stead. He is always at our right hand, to speak soothing, gentle words; to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer. The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. This Spirit works in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of this Spirit reveal its fruit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. {AG 195.4}
{OFC 127.4} - {YRP 130.6} - {RH October 26, 1897, par. 15}
We lose sight of reality if we allow ourselves to be distracted away from who or what the Holy Spirit really is.
"The reason why the churches are weak and sickly and ready to die, is that the enemy has brought influences of a discouraging nature to bear upon trembling souls. He has sought to shut Jesus from their view as the Comforter, as one who reproves, who warns, who admonishes them, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it."" {Ellen White - RH, August 26, 1890 par. 10}
The best and only way I can think of thanking my Lord and Saviour for what He has done and have been in my life is to say "...All to Thee I surrender, All to Thee I freely give".
Words and tears cannot fully express my gratitude and honor towards my Lord and Saviour.
While praying, Jesus said that eternal life was found in having a knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ whom God had sent as the Redeemer of Adam's fallen race. If this is so, then the role of the Holy Spirit would be to increase this knowledge of God and Christ to all who would seek it.
Jesus also taught that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction to every soul, teaching them what is right, what is wrong, and of their accountability(judgment)before God, with the purpose of saving them from sin and it's wages as they would be drawn to find the knowledge of God in Christ.
If yoked with Jesus by entire submission to Him, our lives will lift Him up. This is not some activity we must focus on separately, it will be seen in the life at all times. The Bible teaches us that we praise God “with an upright heart” and worship Him “in the beauty of holiness”. The Gospel is God's promise to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness, which will make the repentant sinner Holy, as God is Holy. This result will uplift Jesus and be a praise to God, just as a beautiful painting brings praise to the artist, while the painting does nothing but hang on display for all to see. Such will be the life of all who are truly redeemed from all sin, being filled with the Holy Spirit. THIS is how the Holy Spirit will glorify the Lord, by dwelling in all who are willing to surrender fully to the will of God in Christ.
It just occurred to me that as the artist signs their name on the canvas, God is going to place His name in the minds(forehead) of His people. All the glory will belong to Him.
Robert, a very beautiful testimony! But how can “all the glory will belong to Him(God)” when this manifestation, in salvation, is wholly dependent on fallen man’s “will” or “willingness”. According to this doctrine God can do nothing for fallen man unless he(man) is “willing” *of himself*. Seems to me man’s *will*, in this situation, has equal or almost equal status and glory as God’s “will”, thus subtracting from God’s “all glory”.
Can fallen man be willing “of himself” to entertain spiritual things, according to the Word? (Rom 8:6-8;1 Cor 2:14) Was Paul “willing” on the road to Damascus? He became willing after the Lord opened his eyes and ears and saved him right there on the road. The thief on the cross was actively upbraiding and railing against Christ when the Spirit opened his mind and convicted him that a dying, cursed man on another cross was his Savior, gifting him repentance, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, and salvation. His declaration confirmed his new-found willingness. (Luk 23:42; 1 Cor 1:21-25; Acts 16:14,15).
I believe that the term "all the glory" means just that. Nothing from us can bring any glory to us. We might be left with the choice, but doesn't God sweeten the deal beyond all reason to resist? Doesn't the "goodness of God lead" us to repentance? Without the knowledge of God's goodness, what sinner would repent?
In Ps 40:1-3, God does all, deserves all the praise and glory. We simply benefit from His grace which will allow us to one day stand in "the presence of His glory with exceeding joy".
I'm sure you are aware Kenny that confession means: "agree". So what glory for anyone who simply agrees with the condemnation the Holiness of God(revealed in His Law) brings to the sinner in just one look?
The artist, not the brush, gets the praise.
If I’m not mistaken Robert, we teach *willing* or *willingness* as a pre-condition. I think Evie, in another thread, understood it like that. I stand corrected if that is not the understanding. But if it is the teaching, then if it is our self-attained *willingness* that empowers God to exercise His will, then our authority is as glorious as God’s since He can do nothing with regard to saving us without it.
The woman at the well immediately posed her religious defenses against Christ’s call. She’s not gonna let a Jew teach her about religion. Christ breaks down her unwillingness and natural opposition to spiritual things and delivers her, filling her with His Spirit to the extent that she forgot about her natural thirst, having been energized to spread the good news. She became most willing.
Kenny, willingness is a choice, acceptance is the precondition for receiving all that God offers sinners in Christ. Read John 1:12; 3:15,16,18, etc. If we do not believe, we perish(John 8:24).
Are you suggesting Jesus used "His Spirit"(in what way?) to make the woman at the well willing to accept His truth? If so, why didn't He just do that to everyone? Would Satan accept this action as fair in the great battle being waged over souls? Where does such action leave the choice then? Unless I'm not understanding your thought correctly.
Jesus simply demonstrated the goodness of God toward all, which, to the woman who was truly seeking something better, was understood as worthy to accept. No prejudice, no bigotry or malice toward her by yet another Jew, but rather, a genuine invitation to eternal life through forgiveness and acceptance by God. Some will respond but most won't. The choice still resides with each individual and God does not exert any overriding power, or all would be saved. He reveals His goodness and leaves us to choose.
If God "makes" us willing, why are not all willing? Where do we draw the line between coercion and free choice?
Example: you can offer a refreshing glass of water, but only the thirsty will be willing to accept it. Some will just not be "thirsty" for the water of Life. They have chosen something else to take it's place. You cannot make someone thirsty. Do you recall Jesus' invitation to the throng "If any man thirst..."? He also taught that those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness...will be filled". He simply offers to the hungry and thirsty that which will satisfy. Each one chooses for himself what he will accept.
Philippians 2:13. It is God who works in you and therefore it is God who gets the glory. Thus even your will is result of the work of God in you.
Yes, this well-known passage shows that God does what we ask Him to do. Those only are made willing who relinquish their will to God that He might work in them according to His will. We must come through faith in the exceeding great and precious promises of God, who through Christ, stands at the door and knocks, with the invitation to "buy from Me...".
The Sovereign God is helpless to aid the unwilling soul.
Robert. I think a distinction should be made between "willingness" and "choice." All are WILLING to have eternal life, many CHOOSE to reject this Gift from God (Romans 6:23).
In your example, all are "thirsty" but many will reject the "Water of Life" in favor of the something more (temporarily) pleasing to the flesh.
It is the Spirit sent by God to pursue us that even prompts our will. Without the Spirit we would never turn to God and our Savior because we are born with an evil nature and we are under the law. Galatians 6:16-26.
Man's will is driven by his own selfishness or by God's Love. If it is driven by God's Love in His Spirit through the invitation of man, it is the Glory (character) of God that is revealed in mankind. If it is driven by man's natural (selfish) motivation it is man's glory (character).
The Spirit glorifies Jesus and He in turn gloriFies the Father
Is there a hierarchy system in the godhead?
Jesus ascribes all His Glory to the Father and focuses our attention and prayer to the Father. He said that He and the Father are one and He said that He does nothing on His own but the Father teaches Him.
Does the Father teach Him through the Holy Spirit and His Word?
John said that Jesus is that Word of God that created the world.
Can we share the Divinity of Christ by sharing His Holy Spirit to perform His righteousness in our lives?
Can His Word live in and through us by the work of His Holy Spirit?
"Share the Divinity of Christ"? No. We will never be Divine, or live independent of another outside power. We will always be dependent up on the Giver of Life to every creature. We are creatures. However, we are promised that we can be partakers of the "Divine nature(character)".
To exhibit God's goodness and have a life that measures with His, what greater privilege could be ours, as creatures?!
When we ask God for the Holy spirit in our lives, we will know Christ better and then it will no longer be 'me' living but Christ in "me".That means God will be glorified because we will produce the fruits of the spirit. This just means we will live a Christ like kind of life, for John 15:5 tells us that he is the vine and that apart from him we can do nothing and can not bear fruit. The spirit works from inside us and a Christ like character will be seen out of us. 2 Cor 5:17-18; "Therefore If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation...all this is from God who reconciled us." God bless.
Robert,The comment "If yoked to Jesus by entire submission to Him, our lives will lift us up." I don't know if this is paraphrased, but what does the words "entire submission " mean? Complete? How many would search their lives and admit their lack of complete or entire submission? Some may not even understand the concept. I think of the texts in Romans 7 that Apostle Paul struggles with and I identify with. Do we find that our lives are not what we would or should, choose at all times? This is not an excuse for sin in our lives, but we need all the help that Jesus can and will provide.
Paul, if you empty a bag of its "entire" contents, what is left?
The only way we can be yoked with Jesus is to be fully(entirely/completely) yielded to His will, as He (fully/completely)yielded to His Father's will. THIS is having the "faith of Jesus". We call it perfect trust, and are willing to depend on His will instead of our own sinful will(yes, Rom 7).
Like the song we sung often years ago:
"Have Thine own way Lord,
have Thine own way,
Thou art the Potter,
I am the clay..."
The struggle in Romans 7 is the struggle we cannot win, being separated from Christ. Follow the verses until you find the remedy for this way of continual failure in verse 25. If we continue in the struggle of Romans 7, we have not found that solution yet. There is no "rest" in that struggle, but Jesus promises "rest" to all who will take His yoke upon them(surrender to His will) by learning of Him.
The verse that speaks of being crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20) means to yield fully as Jesus did by dying to SELF and accepting the will of God, even though it was horrifying to accept.
Easter,
Trying to answer your question of hierarchy in heaven. There is no hierarchy.
Bible commentaries only depicts Trinity as 3 great powers in heaven: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
These three power co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts t live the new life in Christ. In as much as they are three distinct personalities, and their roles, they cooperate and work as one.
"The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit gave themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption"- Counsels on Health page 222
I disagree. What is one to make of the scripture that declares that the head of the church is Christ, and the head of Christ, God? Remember, this is stated in present tense and after Christ's ascension. (1 Cor. 11:3)
Elsewhere, Paul speaks of the coming future glorious establishment of God's kingdom in the following words...
1 Cor. 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Notice that last verse...for all eternity the Son of God shall be subject to His Father. For the time being, the Son has all authority and power for the purposes of redemption. When the final enemy, death, has been done away with, Jesus will return all authority and power to God His Father and the Father shall then reign as the rightful glorious ruler of the universe forever.
Notice also the foloowing verses which clearly do away with any idea that there is equality in all things between the Father and Son. Equality in character, power, nature, yes. But in the following verses ther is clearly a recognition that the Father is greater than the Son, agreeing with Jesus own testimony saying, "The Father is greater than I". Also, these scriptures were written AFTER the ascension, so do not have reference to Jesus only when He was physically on the planet.
Romans 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor. 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ
Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ1
Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Take note also that in some of the above verses God the Father is referred to as being the God of Jesus. Even Jesus Himself said this on several occasions, for example John 17:3, and Paul echoes this principle in 1 Cor. 8:6.
I think it is time that we as a church discuss these issues without the fear of being ostracized because we disagree with the traditional concept of 3 co-equal co-eternal beings in the God head.
Brendan, none of your evidences are able to circumvent the declaration of "The LORD our God is one(echad) God"(Deut 6:4). This word can be defined as "united", "equal", "alike" and "first". There is no getting away from this in any manner. Christ is a facet of this "one" God, and never will He be the supreme or subservient part, but with the others will always be: "united, equal, alike, and first". Gabriel called Michael "one of the Chief Heads"(Dan 10:13) where "echad" is the word used again.
There's too much we don't know that must keep us from being too specific in our conclusions. We are finite and God infinite. We will spend eternity growing in our knowledge of God. (Eternity has no end)
Brenden, if I have missed the point, then what I have to say is generic for trying to understand the Triune. I know of no finite mind that can explain, 1 in 3 God. When each entity has a separate understanding and identity, I know of no way to individualize each member of the 1. Most will agree that the purpose, the united will, the same activity, of each member is identical. the Triune, Godhead. I was thinking about Matt1:19-25.How much of the trinity was mentioned when Jesus was born? When we pray we are instructed how in Matt 6:9-13.
What do you make of verses like 2 Cor 5:19 ...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself...or where Jesus said, ... the Father and I are one. Jn 10:30 If you seen me you seen he Father. Jn 8:28-29 Or God is a Spirit. Jn 3:24. Or Jn 5:17-47 Jesus is clear on the relationship also Jn 6:38-40. Gives me the impression of equality and cooperation. Jesus said it best , My Father is working and I am working Jn 15:17 or Jn 14: 9-12. I am in the Father and the Father in me.
It’s impossible for the creature to fully comprehend God or to explain Him. However, the Word gives some definite characterizations, that , I think, more nearly supports Brendan’s observations.
Paul declares what should be the believer’s stand: “...we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but ONE. For even if there are so-called gods ... yet FOR US there is ONE GOD , THE FATHER, from whom are all things and we for Him; and ONE LORD, JESUS CHRIST, by whom are all things, and we through Him.” 1 Cor 8:4-6. And again “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ONE GOD and FATHER of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Eph 4:5. So when the scripture speaks of the *One God*, it speaks of the FATHER - according to the scripture.
However, Christ is God, but he is not the Father, THE God John 1:1. He has Life in Himself, like the Father, as given of the Father (John 5:26). God alone has life in Himself. Being the Son of God Christ is God and the Father made all things through him, by Him and for Him. The Holy Spirit is Life. The Holy Spirit is God also.
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Very true Brendan. Most 'believers' have rejected/ignored this knowledge and are no longer building on this truth, and have actually kicked at the Father's own sacrifice, His very own Son -
The concept of 3 eternal Gods playing roles - metaphor ,destroys the Love & sacrifice God gave us - His own very Son.
Hi Brenden, you have some interesting verses there to consider, but I don't really see how some of them support your argument.
Here are a couple of versus that I think add to this dicussion:
Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
and
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Equality and oneness seems to me to indicate a non-hierarchical Godhead.