Pastor Herk continues that the “soul” is the spiritual, rational and immortal substance in man and woman; mind, will and emotions; that part of man which enables him to think and reason, and which renders them a subject of moral government. The immortality of the soul is a fundamental article of the Christian system. Such is the nature of the human soul that it must have a God, an object of supreme affection. It is the understanding; the intellectual principle. It is the spirit; essence; chief part; as charity, the soul of all the virtues. Emotion is the soul of eloquence. It is the life animation principle or part. It is our internal power. It is active power; our courage; our fire; grandeur of mind, yet our caution also. It is our generosity; nobleness of mind; our intelligent being. Our heart affection and our appetite. The human soul is very complicated. You cannot fit it by yourself; you need help. The Holy Spirit is the mechanic for your soul.
Ephesians 1:11-14 “In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit arrived in grand fashion, but it should take wind and tongues of fire to get our attention. God, the Holy Spirit works in a different way today, through the humble and loving speaking of God’s people, through Bible Study, the preaching of the Word of God and Christ’s Gospel message. Just as then, changes are taking place on the inside of us. When we combine the Word with water and we get baptism. In Water Baptism, as with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, nothing appears top change on the outside, but a transformational change has taken place internally; born again, sealed and eternal. Romans 6:4 explains to us that, “we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.” The Holy Spirit regenerates the spirit within and transforms our soul in a metamorphic change. Romans 6:5-7 continues to explain that, “for if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for the one who has died is freed from sin.”
When we combine the Word of God with the bread and wine of holy communion, it’s increases our faith and strengthens our love for Christ and for one another as we experience this sacred sacrament together. God wants a closer relationship with us. If our vertical relationship between God and us are right and intimate – nothing between His face and ours in adoration and faithfulness, then our horizontal relationships with our fellow man will be improve. We cannot expect good and meaningful relationships out and around us, if we do not have a “right” relationship with God. Slow down because there is a fast-moving world full of distractions going on around us. We need to earn a new talk and walk as disciples of and ambassadors for Christ, children of God and citizens of the kingdom of Heaven. Our Christian walk on this journey is supposed to be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led; a walk in newness of life – evermore becoming more and more like Jesus. 1 John 2:6 tells us that, “the one who says that he remains in Him [Jesus] ought, himself also, walk just as He walked.” God walks alongside us in our walk, giving teaching, wisdom, knowledge and revelations, because He lives within us.
Ephesians 5:6-8 warns, “See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not become partners with them; for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.” We are to be God’s children that bring spiritual healing and wholeness; not emotional, psychological and spiritual chaos, destruction and death as we are seeing around us in this sinful world. It is important for us to walk in the Holy Spirit everywhere we go. Galatians 5:16-25 expounds, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Christians are in church one or two hours a week; there may be a few more hours if individual Christians are involved in other ministries. The church encourages, equips and fills us for the good works of God. So, the place that needs us to be salt and light, to be a witness for the Lord, is where most of our waking hours are spent - in home, work, our neighborhoods, in community interactions and our travels; when we are exposed to the most amount of people and the greatest effect on impacting our world for Christ’s sake.
Not only are we to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but allow the Holy Spirit to continue to be filling, guiding and leading us. How is it with your bold Christian talk and walk? Enjoy your life in God’s Holy Spirit. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Spread that joy as the Holy Spirit continues to work in and through you.
In Christ, Brian
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