Oh … that we might know Him. Is reading the Word enough? Concerning the one you love the most, is all you need contained in their written biography? So that you can read it anytime you feel the need to be close to them? Or is their actual presence with you better? Being able to talk and laugh and hear each other’s hearts and thoughts. And ask them what they meant by certain things in their biography. Or would you rather just stick to the plain written biography, and try to figure it out for yourself? Is their biography wrong? No, of course not, but is it everything that is …them? Does the biography cover it all? Read John 21:25 for the answer.
There is a ‘belief’ in many religious circles and academic institutions that all one needs is in the ‘book’. The printed Word. The Bible. Is that what Jesus promised us in John 16? Oh … that was just for the apostles and disciples till the complete printed Word came along .. according to many renowned academics. It’s called Cessationism. There is no need for the Spirit to teach anyone anymore because we have the printed … Word.
It is the opinion of this writer … that belief is … crap. NO where in scripture is that concept of not needing the Holy Spirit to be in our lives because we now have a …book. The Holy Spirit is the …seal of God on one’s life. He is the One who teaches us what the …book… means. He helps us to discern the meaning in the book for our lives. He helps us navigate decisions that are before us. He convicts us when we are going down the wrong path or made incorrect choices that have led us into sin. He provides us a way of escape when confronted with temptation. He guides us and instructs us. He comforts us and tells us of His love for us. He leads us and warns us. But where are the examples within the spiritual leadership now that model a life listening to the Spirit of God? How to do that, and how to walk it out? How to hear Him better, and discern His Voice in your mind. So were the disciples and apostles in the book of Acts limited to hearing the Spirit of God only with their physical ears? Did they only hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit audibly? That’s what many religious academics want you to believe. That God is limited and cannot speak thoughts and words into your mind. They think once the people had the complete sixty six books that somehow the Spirit no longer had to guide the believers or help them .. because they had the …book. Don’t mistake what I’m saying to mean that I don’t read the book. I read the scriptures daily. It is my …filter. Knowing the book intimately allows me to discern the thoughts entering my mind .. of where the source of those thoughts might be coming from. The Spirit of God DOES NOT contradict the scriptures. He confirms them. He highlights them. He reminds me of them. He teaches me about them. He points me to them. He gives me them in my time of need, whether it be a time of crisis, or ministry where I am trying to explain something to someone else. He often speaks them in my mind to get His point across to me. He also instructs me with the scriptures. He asks me to step out in faith and minister to others, to bring His Word to them. Sometimes His instructions are to pray for someone’s healing, or lay hands on them and pray, Sometimes He give me a ‘Word’ for an individual to deliver to them, that will encourage them in Him. Sometimes He talks to me about things to come, which honestly are quite scary, but He always comforts me letting me know He is with me, and that He will instruct me if and when I am to warn others about what He has shown me. 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 14 are a good primer to learn about the ways the Holy Spirit moves within us and will help us … and teach us … about His powerful …gifts, and what those gifts are for and when to use them.
So which way do you believe? The book is ALL you need? Or do you need the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit inside you to help you understand the ..book, and every other decision and choice you are faced with in your life?
If you’re set in the belief that the …book is all you need, then most of what I write will sound like hogwash to you. You’ll scoff at my novels, and posts. You’ll try to pick apart what I say with academic arguments. You’ll say …I’m trying to lead people away from Jesus.
Here’s the thing… always be careful when dismissing the work of the Holy Spirit, or attributing a miracle or work of the Holy Spirit to the work of the …enemy. That’s blasphemy against the Holy Spirit .. and Jesus had a shocking statement about that ..act. Read Matthew 12:31.
My goal is always to bring people into a much more intimate walk with ….God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Since Jesus is now with the Father in heaven, and Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit (look up Pentecost), my goal is to better acquaint people with the Holy Spirit and have them be indwelled by Him. Have Him take up ‘residence’ inside of them — by their request of Jesus.
If God is who you really love… then are you really committed to spending time with Him? With the Holy Spirit living INSIDE of you — you should be having a conversation with Him throughout your ENTIRE day.
Why don’t you invite Him to speak to you now. His mercies are new every morning. He is ALWAYS waiting and wanting relationship with you. That’s one of the reasons He created you. He created you to be loved by Him. He created you to have fellowship with Him.
Father… come. Speak to me Holy Spirit. Jesus I need you.