Spirit #13 – After the Holy Spirit, the Fall Out

Workings of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire upon the few frightened believers hiding in an upper room. Afterward, they poured out into the streets—full of courage and joy—and preached the gospel for the first time since Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 2).

Thus begins the spiritual journey of three types of born-again, spirit-filled Christians:

The first type seems to have lost all ability to think reasonably. These bark up trees, crawl on all fours in the church aisle, or slap other Christians—while claiming these behaviors are from God. Please…

The second type are barren Christians eager to manifest all of the power gifts of the Spirit, yet, bring none of the Spirit’s fruit to the family of man, the family of God, or even their own families. Tsk…

The third type loves God and others from the heart—with tough love. God anoints their heart since that is where all actions originate. Thus, they manifest the anointing through 1) what they say; 2) what they do; 3) what they see; 4) what they smell; and/or 5) what they hear. Until they familiarize themselves with their consecration, they too will offend. It’s just part of our walk of ignorance. Sigh…

The bottom line is to keep love, keep faith, and keep going. Until we “get it”, maybe those who we’ve offended along the way, will forgive us and—dare we hope?—befriend us again.

After all, if even for one season, we’re all destined to walk alone.

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Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Spirit #12 – Glorify God in Your Body

Workings of the Holy Spirit

There are two ways our bodies can glorify (*#1392 dŏxazō, esteem or honor) God. The first is through suffering or death:

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify (dŏxazō, esteem) God on this behalf (1 Peter 4:16); or

Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify (dŏxazō, honor) God (John 21:19 NIV);

The second is by pursuing a lifestyle that comes up to God’s standards (Eph. 4:22 - 32). Afterwards, our bodies become a living sacrifice that glorifies (dŏxazō, esteems) God—and in return, God glorifies (dŏxazō, esteems) us:

…your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost…therefore glorify (dŏxazō, esteem) God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor. 6:19, 20);

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (dŏxazō, honored). What, then…? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:29-31 NIV)

Jesus is the express image of God. After we conform to the Son’s likeness, we become the express image of Jesus—not in his deity—but in his character!

Thanks to the ministry of the Spirit, and the work by the Spirit of the Lord, our transfiguration is made possible from glory (dŏxa, very apparent honor, dignity) to glory (dŏxa, very apparent honor, dignity) (2 Cor. 3:18).

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Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked “NIV” are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

* Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.