March 26, 2023- We all know that He came in the flesh, performed miracles, and started a ministry. His actions and teachings would have Him crucified on a cross by Hebrew and Roman authorities. He would die on the cross but defeat death through His resurrection. He remained on this earth for 40 days and was seen by hundreds of apostles and disciples (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). His name would carry into and beyond history, for His words will never die (Mark 13:31). Because of these things, Jesus Christ has saved and continues to save the souls of millions of believers.
Believers of Jesus Christ know “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). After His resurrection and the last supper (article to come) with His disciples, Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, where He remains occupied. Yet, He remains on earth. Let me explain.
The Helper
When Jesus Christ arrived at Jerusalem for the Passover, He told His disciples, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is God’s promise to give (Acts 2:33), through Jesus Christ, His Son. John 20:22 says, “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ ” This was said during Jesus Christ’s resurrection and before His ascension to heaven.
Yet, Jesus’s Spirit was already on the earth even before He came in the flesh. 1 Peter 1:10-11 speaks to the prophets having Jesus’s spirit:
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the gloried that would follow.
The Book of Genesis foreshadows a helper, “And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18). If you read Genesis before, you know this was speaking about Adam, and the helper would be his wife, Eve. However, this is a foreshadowing of the promise of the helper (the Holy Spirit) for all of mankind, whose mission is to glorify Jesus Christ (John 16:14) for all things were that the Father has was given into Jesus Christ’s hand (John 16:15).
Fulfilling the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit is still here to glorify the Son, our savior and messiah Jesus Christ of Nazareth. For the Holy Spirit is poured onto all believers of Christ and does His good work. Hallelujah!
Jesus Dwells Within Us
By receiving the Holy Spirit, Jesus establishes His home in our hearts. Writing to the church in Galatia, Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.“ (Galatians 2:20). In addition, Paul made a statement in his letter to the church in Ephesus, “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” (Ephesians 3:17).
Dwelling within us and receiving the Holy Spirit, we are ambassadors of Jesus Christ performing good works in His name. We perform these works in a humble manner to be seen by others and God. Only prayer and fasting are to be performed in a secret place.
Scripture is contained in the previous paragraph, and I do not want you to be unaware. I have broken the sentences down in the table below:
Matthew 5:16 and 6:3-4 seem to contradict one another, but they do not. To avoid any confusion or possible intrusive thoughts, let’s discuss it. Matthew 5:16 says, “that they may see your good works.” Matthew 6:3-4 does not say “good works,” but it says “charitable deeds.” We can see that good words and charitable deeds are different. Acts 9:36 discusses a female disciple named Tabitha who “was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.”
Good works are righteous acts triggered by the Holy Spirit to glorify God and Jesus Christ. Charitable deeds help the poor, which will always be with us. Jesus said so Himself in Matthew 26:11 and Mark 14:7. Leviticus charges us with helping those that have become poor, “If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you.” (Leviticus 25:35). Paul gives us a good reason to help others, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13:2). Therefore, when we see a need, we must assist in any way possible.
The Body of Christ
Did you know that we make up the body of Christ? The apostle Paul said, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. “ (1 Corinthians 12:13-14)
What is Paul talking about, one body? He means the church. Look at 1 Corinthians 12:27-28:
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Each member of the church, though they may seem lacking, is anything but lacking. They are a part of God’s plan contributing in ways and skills you do not have. Equally, you provide your good works through your spiritual gifts and abilities. We all have the Holy Spirit and are to act as one, for Jesus Christ is within us.
Now, I have a question to ask you. Have you treated your brother or sister in Christ well? Psalm 50:20-21 says:
You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.
In this Psalm, Asaph tells those that forget God must consider this, “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright will show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23). If you forget your brother or sister in Christ and do not love him or her, you are condemning yourself, acting from Satan rather than the Holy Spirit. Beloved, you read earlier that we are ambassadors for Jesus Christ, and we must abide in Him as He is within us through the Holy Spirit.
Now, you can only receive the Holy Spirit through one way. Beloved, I have a serious question: “Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ as your savior?”
Accepting Jesus
Accepting Jesus Christ is freely given and only takes a moment. The promise of salvation walked on this nearly 2,000 years ago. Jesus bore your sin and paid your price so that you could get into heaven. Today, He is extending His hand to you, asking you to repent from your sins and accept Him as your Savior. The time to do this is now by saying this prayer aloud:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen!
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