A.W. Towzer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”
Bold statement, but I tend to agree.
So, let me narrow the scope by asking a question of my own.
“When you think about the Holy Spirit, do you think power or Person? Memory or a memorable life?”
Here is how I would answer my own question. Cheeky, I know.
In High School, I had a great friend named Mike. Now I haven’t seen him for twenty-five years. Nothing terrible happened; life just took us in different directions. But, when I happen to think about him, I have nothing but fond memories. Hold that thought.
In High School, I had another great friend named Jason, who continues to be a great friend. One I do life with weekly. When I think about him, I have fond memories from elementary and high school, but I also have something different. I have ongoing memorable life moments not only in the past but ongoing today. A gift I don’t take for granted.
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (ESV).
Another word for Helper is the Holy Spirit. My concern is that too many followers of Jesus have a relationship with the Holy Spirit like I have with Mike. You can remember a time you felt His power, even filled, perhaps spoke in tongues. But when you think about the Holy Spirit, you have moments, feelings, even a powerful memory – and all this is good, but what about a growing relationship with the Third Person in the Trinity?
You see, there is a big difference between being filled and a constant infilling. Here is something true of all of us, we leak. No, this doesn’t depend on who you ask – see what I did there. Naughty, I know. Life can knock the wind out of us. Just like there is a difference between saying I had a friend named Mike twenty-five years ago and saying I have a friend named Jason walking alongside one another for the last twenty-five years. So too is there is a difference, as Dr. Glenn Packiam says, “Between saying you’ve been filled with the Spirit versus saying you are being filled with the Spirit.” The latter is actually what the New Testament invites us into – not a static one-time experience, but an ongoing in-filling of the personal, powerful presence of God in the Holy Spirit.”
The early church and first, second, and third generational followers of Jesus both knew and loved this, so much so they developed a daily prayer they would recite on their own and in their weekly church services. Do you know what it was? Three heartfelt words.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Come, fill my life Holy Spirit.
Come, empty me of pride Holy Spirit.
Come, convict me of sin Hoy Spirit.
Come, lead me today Holy Spirit.
Come, empower me in your love Holy Spirit.
Come, give me boldness Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, come and make me more like Jesus.
The truth is simple. WE WILL NEVER BE MORE LIKE JESUS APART FROM AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. Don’t believe me? Trust Jesus.
“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4–5 (ESV)
At this moment, the disciples had the finished work of the cross and the resurrection. They witnessed the teachings and the miracles of Jesus. They received the great commission and the great commandment from Jesus.
But still, Jesus ordered them to wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
They did.
They were.
The rest is history.
Today, I celebrate your memory. You’re being touched by the Holy Spirit. Like Jesus, I invite you into not only a memory but a memorable life bearing the fruit of an on growing, infilling relationship with The Holy Spirit.
The world needs spirit-filled people. Not only those who speak in tongues, which is a beautiful gift, but the world needs those whose lives are marked by a daily relationship in and with The Holy Spirit.
So today, as I pray for you, these three words I say, “Holy Spirit, come.”
Samantha
I really appreciate that this blog caused me to pause and ask what my relationship with the Holy Spirit is? I did think that when I was at a bigger church and had really big moments that were undeniable with the Holy Spirit, it was harder to connect with this Spirit daily because it changes. Some days I have to seek it harder, and by seeking, it is about slowing down to wait! Yes, I affirm this is a continuous process, a very intimate and internal process.
Barb Eitze
Such a great reminder to give The Holy Spirit His place in our everyday life, to be always re-filling our spiritual tank so that He can convict, reproof, restore, and empower us each and every day. A daily relationship: I think I have been taking for granted and will be more intentional in speaking to Him and giving Him His rightful place in my life. Lead me, guide me and fill me with Your Presence. Such a Great Word, Pastor Jason. Thank you.