John 14: 22
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Judas asked Jesus, "Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" Lord, haven't you said: "God so loved the world?" Why grant this grace only the believers? Why is it only the ones that love you would experience your work? In fact they are not in conflict. On the one hand the heart of God is with man, the Bible said it is God's desire to save the world and let no one perish. On the other hand, God's grace is never cheap grace, and only those who humble themselves to seek God would receive the Lord. Therefore the Bible says, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
The Lord then said in Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." The Lord loved to show us favor but we need to pray earnestly for it; the grace of God always comes to the ones that seek Him. Do not forget that God wants us to build relationships, He likes to get close to us, but He also expects us to get close to Him.
Then how will more of the love of the Lord come to us? It's through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is serving for several aspects of our lives. First, the Spirit convicts our sins. Before we were unconscious of our sins, now the light of the Spirit makes us aware of our sins and darkness, and our hearts turn to God. The spirit of God is the light that brings rebuke as well as cleansing. Second, the Holy Spirit is like a seal in our hearts, a mark to show that we belong to God. It's like many people put a "my library" stamp on their own books to show they belong to us. Similarly, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is like the seal in our lives to show that we belong to God.
Third, the Holy Spirit will also bring our comfort and guidance, as His names of "comforter", "counselor". So Many people in this generation say they are lost, that they do not know where to go among so many choices, yet the spirit of God will counsel our lives. Fourth, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to obey. We can articulate many of God's truths, but we lack the power to live out God's words in our lives. Since we cannot control our own minds as well as our own tongues, only the Holy Spirit can give us the power to a victorious life.
Brothers and sisters, do you know the work of the Holy Spirit? Lord help us, do not deny the Holy Spirit. Let us welcome the Spirit working directly in the depth of our souls, such that our hearts can turn to God, and God can more freely show Himself to us.
Pray with Pastor Tong
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