Know These Things For Our Good

Jesus knew the Christian life would be difficult. That is why on His last night with the Disciples He promised not to leave them alone:

    “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:25-27)

God gave us the Holy Spirit as not just a helper, but also as a down payment, a guarantee that Jesus would return. In times past if you gave a down payment you were giving something “in earnest.” Paul describes the Holy Spirit as such in the King James Version:

    “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

In the New King James Version this passage is translated as:

    “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that Christ will return and that He was “earnest” and trustworthy in what He said he would do.

Trying to be a Christian in this world without Christ is an impossible task. That is why at salvation the Holy Spirit indwells us so we have heavenly power to live our lives. The Holy Spirit helps us in our discernment because so much in life can deceives us.

    “These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (1 John 2:26-27)

There is so much, especially in America, that can allure us from the straight and narrow and at times we feel like we will never overcome the trappings of the world, but Jesus promised us a different life:

    “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)

Do you struggle with witnessing and testifying about your faith? Many times fear of ridicule and rejection paralyzes us and we are sure that if we do try to witness to a loved one or neighbor, we won’t know what to say. Jesus promised otherwise:

    “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12)

Beloved, when we study God’s Word, pray and meditate, and walk in obedience to Christ, the Holy Spirit is able to work uninhibited in our lives. It is wonderful to know that Jesus knows what is best for us and does all things for our good. That means He is trustworthy.

Matthew Henry wrote the following words commenting on John 14:25-27:

    “If we would know these things for our good, we must pray for, and depend on the teaching of the Holy Ghost; thus the words of Jesus will be brought to our remembrance, and many difficulties be cleared up which are not plain to others. To all the saints, the Spirit of grace is given to be a remembrancer, and to Him, by faith and prayer, we should commit the keeping of what we hear and know. Peace is put for all good, and Christ has left us all that is really and truly good, all the promised good; peace of mind from our justification before God. This Christ calls His peace, for He is Himself our Peace. The peace of God widely differs from that of Pharisees or hypocrites, as is shown by its humbling and holy effects.”

Imagine having a personal tutor to teach you all you need to know about a subject, provided free of charge, and you never use him or her.

Such a waste!

So it is when we do not allow the Holy Spirit to have preeminence in our Christian life.

This weekend we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He is no longer here on earth; He sits at the right hand of the Holy Father God in Heaven.

But we are not alone because we have the precious Holy Spirit to guide and teach us.

That is more valuable than any Easter egg you may find or basket of candy.

So as we get dressed up in our Sunday best and meet with family and friends after attending church this Easter Sunday, let us remember that we are celebrating the Source of our salvation…Jesus our Justifier.

I pray that this Easter in the midst of spring brings a renewal to your heart and a restoration of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is risen!

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2010 David Jeffers

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