Answers to the questions in the Newspaper ad: Feb. 21 - 27th.
In the last post we talked about how the Holy Spirit is key to being prepared for the second coming of Jesus. If you missed that post, it would be beneficial to read it as it gives a nice prelude to this post.
Can I have the spiritual power to be a better person?
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
Sanctification means to be made holy and set aside for holy use. In other words, to live good, moral lives, fulfilling the perfect will and purposes of God.
Who sanctifies us?
But we should and are [morally] obligated [as debtors] always to give thanks to God for you, believers beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth [of God’s word that leads you to spiritual maturity].
The Holy Spirit working in our lives is the sanctifying power. The Holy Spirit is given to all believers (Acts 2:38). How much believers allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives is up to them. The Holy Spirit is the holy Presence of God dwelling in the believer's mind (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). He is the One who influences us for good and gives us power to live for God... if we want, that is.
All of us have selfish tendencies that we have developed and nourished through life. We all have inclinations towards sin and selfishness and pride. Most of the time, these tendencies and inclinations control what we say and how we act. They are so strong and so ingrained within us, that we can act out and say things that are harmful without even thinking about it. But Jesus came to save us from our sins!
Save us from sin!
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
And the sanctification that happens in a believer's life through the power of the Holy Spirit includes saving us from perpetual sinfulness, selfishness, pride, as wells as harmful inclinations and tendencies. How?
First, receive the Holy Spirit. Invite Him to live and dwell within your mind.
Second, allow Him to cleanse and change your mind -- your thoughts, attitudes, decisions, inclinations, and desires.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Third, put your focus on Jesus Christ and place your affections on heavenly things.
This will give you an uplifting perspective. Give you a right, true, accurate perspective. It helps us to have hope and encouragement regardless of the circumstances we are in or what we are experiencing.
1) Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2) Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].
1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,
2) [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
3) Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
These are Biblical, tangible truths that will help refocus your life off of yourself and your circumstances. Truths that help us out of the ruts of life, the discouragement, depression. Truths that give us a uplifting, hopeful perspectives, above this world's disappointments and problems.
If we are to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus, we must consistently keep our focus on Jesus, not on ourselves or on others.
Four, yield yourself to God.
And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
As we submit ourselves to God, He transforms us by the renewing of our minds through the Holy Spirit, and gives us power to live out His will.
There is something we need to be absolutely clear about on this subject. Surrendering and submitting ourselves to God is a choice, but to actually live a surrendered life takes power. God has provided the power through His Holy Spirit, but we have to be consistent to make the choice to choose Him over our flesh (sin and selfishness).
Every day we go out to battle. Satan is constantly trying to trip us up, stifle our faith, cause doubt, frighten us, demoralize us, intimidate us, and discourage us. This is war! We must be alert, awake, and never let our guard down! That is why it is important to be consistent with our choice to surrender to God and seek God’s perspective and surrender to His Holy Spirit’s control throughout the day.
When we choose to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s control (instead of being in control or letting the sinful and selfish desires of our flesh control us) then we will have power to live faithfully.
This new life in us (the Holy Spirit) shapes our lives, defines us, gives us a new purpose and identity, and empowers us to live for Christ.
If we are going to endure the test and trials ahead of us and be prepared for the second coming of Jesus, we must die daily to the flesh. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can be faithful disciples, be better people, and have an uplifting perspective.
Much of information in this post, and the last four posts on this blog, is taken from my latest Bible Studies series Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of these studies, fill out the form below.