God lives within us
Day 34
by Gini Crawford, MSW
The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments
In the Old Testament, the presence of God was manifested many times by the glory of God and in theophanies (Genesis 16:7-13; Exodus 40:33-38). In the Gospels Jesus literally manifested God's presence, but after Jesus went back to heaven, the Holy Spirit became the primary presence of the Trinity among us. He is God within us.
The Holy Spirit was very active in the Old Testament, but He didn't live within everyone, only a select few who God chose (Numbers 11:24-29). The Holy Spirit would empower or fill people for special service such as King David (1 Samuel 16:13) and Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9). The Spirit would also protect and enable in a general sense by being in the midst of or upon a group of people (Isaiah 63:11-14). The Holy Spirit living within all God's people was promised in the Old Testament but made true in the New Testament because of Jesus. (Psalm 51:11; Joel 2:28-29 also Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-33).
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV®
Jesus' farewell message
Jesus knew he would be arrested the night before He was crucified so He needed to give His disciples a parting message. Jesus' farewell message is found in John chapters thirteen through seventeen. Here is a summary of these chapters: Jesus surprised His 12 disciples by washing their feet – a servants job. Jesus then predicted His betrayal which no one understood except for the betrayer, Judas. Judas left to betray Jesus at this point. Afterwards Jesus announced He would be leaving them which troubled His disciples greatly, so Jesus started encouraging them about heaven, His Deity, His love for them, the Holy Spirit, and so on. Jesus ended His communication with a concerned prayer for His disciples (and us), emphasizing His love for all who believe in Him.
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them ... so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:20-26 ESV®
Little was understood about the Holy Spirit until Jesus' farewell message. Jesus in His message makes it clear that the triune God was going to literally live within His disciples and us forever. In a sense the Spirit would replace Jesus' presence on this earth – implying believers, would always have Jesus with them. The Spirit would also teach and guide into all truth, and enlighten about Jesus and the Father. Jesus explains how the Spirit works on the minds of unbelievers convincing them that their unbelief is sin, and that righteousness and escape from judgement can only come from Him. I know it is hard to fathom why God would want to live in us, isn't it? Yet, it was His idea and His sacrifice that made it possible. (John 14:16-20, 25-26, 15:26-27, 16:5-15).
Reading through Jesus' farewell chapters made it clear that Jesus had watched over and protected His disciples when He was on the earth, as we would watch over our children or anyone we loved (John 17:11-12). When my three kids went to kindergarten, I was concerned for their safety and wellbeing. I had watched over each of them for nearly five years and now they were left to the world. For my two oldest, we lived right behind the kindergarten yard, so needless to say, when they were out playing I checked on them. Jesus had a heartfelt concern over leaving His disciples because He loved them, as He loves us. So sending His Spirit to live within His disciples and us, makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
Life Application
The Spirit gives us life
But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 ESV®
When the Holy Spirit doesn't live within a person they are unspiritual or natural, compared to a person with the Spirit who is spiritual. The natural person belongs to the world while the spiritual person belongs to God, and understands the things of God. One is an unbeliever and the other is a believer. The unbeliever lacks the Spirit and always follows their natural desires. The believer has the Spirit, and now has a choice whether to follow God's desires or not. (John 6:63; Romans 6:17-25).
...But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit... Titus 3:4-5 ESV®
Titus chapter three tells us: We were disobedient to God, slaves to passions and pleasures against God, envying and hating, when the triune God working in love, saved us from our sins to regenerate and renew us spiritually, so we would have the hope of eternal life. The Spirit does a spiritual washing of regeneration and renewal in us. To use a little true humor, regeneration and renewal is an anti-death and an anti-sin wash to make us alive in Jesus. Read Titus 3:3-7.
What is regeneration? It means the Holy Spirit implants new life or a new birth in us at the moment we believe (John 3:3-8). We are a new creation in Jesus (2 Corinthian 5:14-17). Regeneration is a single act by God and is done entirely through His Spirit. Regeneration is an initial cleansing and forgiving of sin and the breaking of the power of sin in a believer's life (Acts 15:8-9; Colossians 1:13-14, 2:13-14).
Renewal or sanctification is a process that requires the conscious and continued cooperation of believers working with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthains 6:11). We could call it a walk with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25).
Jesus' farewell message underlines how much God loves you. Jesus, the God of the universe stoop down and washed dirty feet, then died a criminal's death because He values and loves us. Whenever you are feeling distant from God and His love, remember His Spirit does live within you. Quickly read John chapters 13–17. Jesus had a great deal to say about the Holy Spirit because we need to recognize the existence of His Spirit, and His work in our lives. How would our lives be without His Spirit within? What are your thoughts from Jesus farewell words and actions? Are you glad Jesus lives within you? Do you feel loved by God?
Reflect on Titus 3:3-7.