WATCHWORD:
13 And he has put his own Holy Spirit into our hearts as a proof to us that we are living with him and he with us. 14 And furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now tell all the world that God sent his Son to be their Savior. 15 Anyone who believes and says that Jesus is the Son of God has God living in him, and he is living with God. 16 We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. 1 John 4:13-16
Meditation:
Spirit of the Living God
We should keep in mind as we read the writings of John, that he is writing this towards the end of his life. But he is writing about current happenings within the church in the early times of Christianity, and expressing his concerns. This was a time when there were false prophets, even antichrists, and the followers of Christ struggled with this opposition.
In this passage, John warns Christians not to except every claim they hear. He advises them to compare what they hear against the truth of the gospel. We see here John returning again and again to his favorites theme, love, explaining how believers ought to live out the presence of God’s love in their lives.
We read in this passage the apostle giving further evidence of one who has true fellowship with Christ. The Holy Spirit is the sign of our true faith. He cites Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells within you?” It is clear that John has read Paul’s epistles because he also cites 1Timothy 1:14, “…the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.” Then he offers this caution: Those who don’t display this Spirit need to examine their relationship with Christ.
John actively teaches that if you, by faith, have the Father you also have the Son. Then he goes on to say if you have the Spirit you also have the Son. Think about that. We see all three persons of the triune God, all involved in our Christian walk, our salvation. The Work that Christ completed, “It is Finished”, on Calvary has given us our salvation. The Spirit now lives in us to help us live for Christ.
The blessing of having the Holy Spirit of God in us is beyond our understanding, and yet God has done that as proof that we live in Him and He in us. This is nothing but pure grace for those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and in His Word.
We see here the importance of paying attention to the murmurings of the Holy Spirit within. This is not complicated, unless we make it so. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in all circumstances, if we would but listen, pay attention, and seek to understand. That is our job. So be it.
Words of Wisdom:
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me,
Break me, melt me mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, may we always follow the leading of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that the Spirit is always sharpening our understanding of who You are, and instructing us how we express the truth of the gospel in our world. Thank you Lord for making Your home with us, and becoming a never-ending flow of love that all can see. Help us as we try to live together in love. It is in Your name, Jesus, that I offer these prayers. Amen.
