Supra-Human

(5-8-05)

1Corinthians 2:4-16

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For what reason would the Lord share of Himself with humanity? Why does the Lord give His Spirit to people? Just how important is it to have the Spirit of the Almighty God living in you? These are important questions not only to be asking but to be answering.

In the reading for today Paul gives one reason for why God gives His Spirit to people – to enable their minds. ¹² "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." The reason for this Paul tells us is that the flesh, the natural man, by itself can not perceive the things of the Spirit of God. (Verse 14) (see also Eph.1:18)

We often inquire of one another concerning the others relationship with the Lord, you know the kinds of questions: Are you saved? Have you been baptized? Are you a member of the church? We have lots of ways to see if we can accept someone or reject don’t we? Why don’t we ask: Have you got the Spirit of the Lord? Well have you?

It might be a reasonable question, until asked to prove it. With baptism we can just flip open the old bible and show the date neatly inscribed – baptized on this day of our Lord _____. Hard to do the same with the Spirit. We believe in the necessity of Baptism don’t we? Scripture defends its place in the process of salvation. But what does scripture say about the necessity of the Spirit?

"…And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." (Romans 8:9b) (verses 7-8 are worth reading as well.) The Spirit is evidence of ownership. If you don’t have the Spirit of God living in you, then you are not saved because all those who have been saved are marked or sealed with the Spirit. (Eph 1:13-14 – the "earnest of our inheritance")

So what question is more valid? I would think the best question would be ‘Do you have the Spirit?’ My reasoning is simple – eliminate deception. Baptism without God is just ‘splish splash, taking a bath’. Our confidence should rest upon something sure and true. Eternity could hang in the balance.

How does a person answer such a question as this? It’s not like someone asking – "Are you going to heaven when you die? I hope so." "Have you been baptized? Well, yes I have." And when death takes you from the land of the living, what fate will await you?

So how does a person get the Spirit? Scripture tells us that God gives it to those who believe, repent, and are baptized. ^{AC 2:38} Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." When we read the preceding verses we see that the people heard the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection as the fundamentals of their faith.

God’s grace is still offered to a lost and dying world and the process by which salvation is secured is still valid and true yet this very day. Amen. Is the Spirit of God living in you? Want to prove it? Answer this question – who’s your Lord?