Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

My mind has been lazy of late. After the PET scan came in and the doctor said everything was negative, I sort of went into ‘it is finished’ mode. Naturally I am very happy that the cancer has vacated the premises. Completing the last three chemo treatments is simply part of the ‘making-certain-on-all-things’ program.

Still need to use wisdom. It really isn’t the cancer but the chemo treatments that I have to be concerned with. My immune system remains low, especially at certain times. The main thing is not to be around people who have a ‘bug.’ The greater concern is children. Boy I hate that. But this is why I have to be cautious about being in public places. Anyway, being on the lake for a bit of bass fishing will keep me clear of bugs.

I’ve gotten wonderful responses on the PET scan report. People and churches have had me on their prayer lists. One brother shared how he had become afraid that I’d pass over before he did. Said I was his preacher, and wanted me to do his funeral. My response was, ‘Don’t plan on going anywhere soon.’  :)

So many good things are happening that I could write a book right now. Rather than do that, I’d really like to just share a bit of a Bible Study. Let’s call it ‘the seal and the testimony.’

We Christians have different ways of saying things that may be similar but not always accurate. I don’t mean to be technical, but understanding proper Bible terms is important. An example is when people talk about when they received the Holy Spirit. (Or Holy Ghost as some like to say.)

The truth of the matter is that no one receives the Holy Spirit aside from Jesus. It is Jesus Christ that we receive as our personal Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit testifies to that fact.

The Holy Spirit enters the heart of a believing one at the point of faith in Jesus. After that it is a matter of learning to live a life that is overseen by the Holy Spirit.

But it is so important to understand that the Holy Spiritenters the heart of a new believer at the point of their have placed their faith in Jesus. This is when the Holy Spirit testifies to their spirit that they have become a child of God. Having the Spirit in residence means you have received Jesus as Lord of your life.

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Jesus or the Spirit of Christ. There is a reason for this. In the new covenant the Holy Spirit administers the finished work of the cross. This is why Paul said that the kingdom of God is not eating or drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

To say it another way — When we receive Jesus Christ as our own Lord and Savior, it is at that very moment that we receive the seal and the testimony of sonship into God’s kingdom. This is why you can never tell a person who has the testimony in their heart that they don’t have the Holy Spirit. Personal faith in Jesus Christ is? proof positive that they have the Spirit.

Consider these Scriptures:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12,13 nasb)

“But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. … For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.”? (Rom 8:9,15,16)

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Eph1:13,14)

Of course there is a lot more to the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life other than birthing us into God’s kingdom. Paul said that a believer can grieve the Holy Spirit by actions, by thoughts, by sinful conduct, or even by wrong believing. This grieving is a sign that the believer needs to repent of these things. (Been there many times.)

What I wish to leave with my readers, however, is the understanding that the Holy Spirit cannot be disconnected from Jesus Christ.

So once again — Having the Holy Spirit means that God Himself is resident in your life in the person of the Spirit of the Son. Kingdom life in the new covenant is called ‘the kingdom of His beloved Son.’

Just something to think about.

Blessings,

Buddy