I have encountered each of these three qualities over the past few days--not as the standard set, but individually in my own devotions in I John, and in the celebration of Christ's Resurrection. The command for faith and love in 3:23 is clear. Yet chapter four also makes clear the fact that, apart from the Spirit, we cannot produce either one. God's Spirit is the Spirit both of faith (4:1-6) and of love (4:7-16). Christ promised to send the Spirit. After His resurrection, He told His followers to wait in Jerusalem until the were "endued with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49). This was fulfilled, and every believer now, at the moment of salvation, receives the indwelling Spirit. What hope, to know that we are being conformed to the image of Christ through the power of His Spirit Who dwells in us!
The resurrection provides many aspects of hope--all of which give us reason to live the Christian life with abundant joy and thanksgiving. The world does not have this hope. They live for the moment's best, which never quenches the longing for purpose. I thank the Lord that, by His grace, I have a hope that will not be deferred.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment