Tag: saved us

38.x. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God”

 

From Compelling Truth

 

Judges 15:14   But the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon Samson

Psalm 51:11  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

1 Chronicles 12:18  Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty

1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.

Ezekiel 11:5   Then the Spirit of the LORD came on me, and he told me to say:

John 14:17   the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Ephesians 1:7   In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Colossians 1:27   To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

1 John 4:15   If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.

Titus 3:5   he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Romans 8:15–17  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

John 3:1–8   Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

1 Corinthians 2:12  What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Romans 8:14  For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Galatians 5:22–23   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

Romans 8:26  n the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

1 Corinthians 12:13   For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is God taking up permanent residence in the heart of those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. In the Old Testament, the Spirit would come intermittently upon the saints, empowering them for service but not necessarily remaining with them. The Spirit “rushed upon” Lehi  and “clothed” Amasai. The Spirit was with David and able to be removed from him, and the Spirit “fell upon” Ezekiel and spoke to him . The Spirit, who had once been with King Saul, “departed from” him, removing His influence and guidance from the king .

It wasn’t until Pentecost that the Spirit began to indwell those who belong to God through Christ. Jesus predicted the coming of the Spirit who would live within His people, as well as the new role the Spirit of Truth would play in their lives. Prior to the resurrection and Pentecost, the Spirit was with the disciples and influenced them, but He did not yet indwell them, as Jesus explained to them: “he dwells with you and will be in you”. John 7:39 explains further: “Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

The apostle Paul reiterated the same truth about the Spirit’s indwelling: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”. Because believers have been purchased for God by the blood of Christ, shed on the cross for our sins, our bodies become a living temple where the Spirit of God resides.

The image of the believer’s body being a temple is reminiscent of the Old Testament tabernacle, in which the Spirit of God lived. There, God’s presence would appear in a cloud and meet the high priest, who came once a year into the Holy of Holies. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest brought the blood of a slain animal and sprinkled it on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant. On this special day, God granted forgiveness to the priest and His people.

The Jewish temple in Jerusalem no longer exists. Now the believer in Christ has become the inner sanctum of God the Holy Spirit, as the believer has been sanctified and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ. In fact, Scripture also says that the believer is the dwelling place of all three Persons of the Trinity. Along with the Spirit, Jesus Christ is in us, as is God the Father.

The purpose of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is many-faceted. First and foremost, the Spirit creates new life in believers (), producing the same new birth Jesus spoke of in . The Spirit confirms to us that this new birth is real and that we truly belong to God (). He also imparts to believers spiritual gifts to be used to build up the body of Christ and glorify God (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). Further, as the author of Scripture through the writers He inspired (), the indwelling Spirit helps believers understand what He has written and how to apply it to daily life ().

Other functions of the indwelling Spirit include interceding for believers in prayer, leading us in the ways of righteous living, producing His fruit in our lives, and installing believers into the universal church of Christ, also called the baptism of the Spirit.

One of the indwelling Spirit’s most encouraging functions is to seal believers for eternity by placing His own mark upon us. Doing so assures our arrival in the Lord’s presence when we die (Ephesians 1:13–14, 4:30). The Holy Spirit’s presence within us is the guarantee that we have been purchased by Christ and redeemed from our sins. We can never lose our position as a prized possession. Until we die, the Spirit remains within us, renewing and sanctifying us, comforting us in trials, and sustaining us in afflictions. With the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are never alone, never lost, and never without His power.

27.f. “But was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you”

 

Ephesians 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

 Romans 16:26   but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—

 Revelation 14:6  Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.

 Matthew 13:35    This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

 2 Timothy 1:9   who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

 1 Peter 1:20    He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you

Paul marveled at the grace given to him, by which he was called to preach the gospel that makes the mystery a reality. When we consider Paul’s personal history, we see that his calling really was all of grace. Paul tried to figure out the greatness of God’s grace and started tracking it out as one might track out the shore of a lake. He soon discovered that it wasn’t a lake at all, but an ocean, an immeasurable sea. God’s riches are unsearchable; we will never know them completely. “I am bold to tell you that my Master’s riches of grace are so unsearchable, that he delights to forgive and forget enormous sin; the bigger the sin the more glory to his grace. If you are at the very gates of hell, he is able to pluck you from the jaws of destruction.” (Spurgeon)

The mystery of Jesus Christ was revealed.  Prophets of old and millions of people longed for what the prophets spoke, at least they thought they did.  When He came into the world, according to the plans and purposes of God, He was rejected by most and held dearly by some.  There is not much different today. He is rejected, the mystery is rejected, God is rejected, and His plan of redemption and salvation is cast aside like a worthless piece of waste.  How terrifying will it be on the day of judgment for those who rejected Jesus Christ?  How ashamed will they be when they come and bow before Him in all of His glory?  

As Spurgeon said; “the vilest sinner on a headlong course to Hell will be saved if they would just turn to Jesus Christ and believe”  God is able but are you willing?  God has promised eternal life to all who would believe and humbly follow, obey, trust, and rely on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  There is no soul so far lost that the grace, love, and mercy of Jesus can’t save.  He is standing at the door to your heart, knocking, and seeking you to soften your hardened heart and let Him in.  

26.f. “Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ”

Galatians 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me,

 Ephesians 1:5   he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

 Ephesians 1:9   making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

 Isaiah 49:1   Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.

 Jeremiah 1:5  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

 Isaiah 49:5    And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength

 1 Corinthians 1:9   God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 1 Corinthians 15:10   But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

 2 Timothy 1:9   who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

 Paul wanted to show that his calling depended on the secret election of God, and that he was ordained an apostle, not because he had fitted himself for undertaking such an office by his own industry or because God had discerned that he was worthy of having it bestowed on him, but because, before he was born, he had been set apart by the secret purpose of God.” (Calvin)

God wants to do more than reveal Jesus to us; He wants to reveal Jesus in us. The revealing of Jesus to us is the place where eternal decisions of great consequence are made.  Being set apart for the purpose of God’s will requires a surrender of self-will and a seeking, desiring, and wanting to do God’s will.  Too often we interject our will, purpose, plans, and wants over God’s will, purpose, and plans.  This is easy to identify.  When our heart is more set on things of this world than wholly living in perfect purpose and desire to solely honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do, it is safe to say we give more thought to self and this world than Him.  Our life is a journey with many distractions that can tempt us to take our eyes off of God’s plans and purposes.  It is a matter of the heart.  Fill it continually with God’s Word, seek to honor and glorify Him in every moment as you grow more and more in your understanding and knowledge and love of Him.

You have been set apart for Him and His plans and purposes.

20.u. “In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.”

 

 

Romans 11:30  For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

 1 Corinthians 6:9-11  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

 Ephesians 2:1-2   And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

 Colossians 3:7    In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

 Titus 3:3-7   For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God”, “And such were some of you”, “ And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked”, “In these, you too once walked when you were living in them.”, “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures”. Sometimes we forget where we came from.  We were once lost and following and chasing after the pleasures of this world and then we were changed, made new, and old things passed away.  After a time, it is easy to think of ourselves as never being like this.  We have a tendency to think we have reason to criticize others harshly for their actions.  Paul knew this better than anyone.  He knew that he arrested Christians, through them in prison, separated families, and gave support to their floggings or death.  He knew what he was like before becoming a believer.  He knew it was the work of God in him.  He knew what his heart was like before and after.  He knew it was only because of what God had done that He was a changed person.  He saw those who were like him before as lost and in need of a savior.  He did not think he was better but that what he had in Christ was.  He knew how easy it was to be conformed to this world and not see things of God or the need for salvation.  

We all were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, and slaves to various passions and pleasures.  We do well to keep this in mind as we see others around us who are still lost and pray for God to open their heart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Remembering this work of God builds four things in us. First, gratitude for how God changed us. Second, humility as we see that it was His work that changed us. Third, kindness to others in the same place. Finally, faith that God can change those who are still in that place.

A new heaven and earth

“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

Psalms 104:30  When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

Job 12:6-10    The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand.  “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you,  or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.  Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?  In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Ephesians 2:1     And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

Titus 3:5     he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 65:17     “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

Isaiah 66:22     “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain.

Revelation 21:5     And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

We are created and given life by God.  We are both flesh and spirit. Though the flesh may return to dust the spirit lives on forever.  Eternity is timeless.  We fill and track our days – time.  Some days seem to drag on and others seem to fly by.  But a time is coming when there will be no more time, no more death.  God, our Creator, has promised a new heavens and new earth.  This promise from Isaiah is to everyone as recorded in

John 3:16  📝  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Joh 3:17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Joh 3:18  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

However there are those who choose to reject God’s grace through Christ. Those who reject Christ are doomed to God’s wrath and will forever live in torment.  They will not see this new heaven and new earth.  They are forever cast into the lake of fire where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Trying to understand this forever torment is hard for us this side of eternity to comprehend.  Though not having this understanding does not leave those guiltless.  God’s grace and mercy through Christ, to those who believe, is a eternal life decision and life forever in His presence.  Do not reject His grace and mercy.  Do not neglect His calling.  Do not listen to the lies of satan that this world is all there is to your life.  The consequences of this decision is for eternity.

He hears us

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Job 6:2    “Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!  For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.  For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Psalms 88:1   O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

Psalms 27:9     Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

Psalms 27:1    The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 12:2     “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Nehemiah 1:6    let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.

Even in our darkest moments God is there.  When all around us seems to be in turmoil and chaotic God is there.  When we turn to Him we find rest for our soul.  When we turn to Him we find light in the darkness.  When we turn to Him we find peace in the chaos.  Our troubles are known by our Heavenly Father.  He cares for us and has promised to be our strength, our shield, our hope, our place of refuge.

His workmanship

“ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

John 6:44  No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

Isaiah 44:18    They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.

Romans 8:7    For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Titus 3:3    For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Hosea 11:4    I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

We were once foolish and disobedient.  We did not have a purpose more than that which would bring us pleasure.  Our thoughts were far from God serving our own interests.  And here is the GOOD NEWS – while we were in this condition and separated from God, He reached out to draw us to Him.  I think we seem to sometimes forget this great gift of drawing us, and then, to those who believe, eternal life.  Remembering this brings joy to our heart and purpose into our life.  It also keeps us humble and from thinking to highly of our selves and what we accomplish.  When we serve self it is in essence shutting God out and putting ourselves in front of His purpose and plan.  The problem with self is it is always there and the easiest default when we are not in His word and choosing to be led by Him.  Following God is a choice for eternity.