“Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Phil 3:15).
GOD THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT
We may hear people say, “Beware of those who focus on the Holy Spirit”. Others may say, “Beware of those NOT focusing on the Holy Spirit”. Other’s may promise a Jesus who offers health, wealth and fame?
“As many as are mature” should have a balanced approach to our walk with the Lord.
• Our “health” is in the salvation of our wounded hearts, minds and souls.
• Our “wealth” is unspeakable riches in the Lord.
• And our “fame” is in our humility.
Whatever else comes is according to God's grace, mercy, plan and timing. And the preacher who sidesteps the Holy Ghost was fine until his church went out of business, the flock scattered, and he had to go back to the factories to keep his family fed, right? He leaned on the arm of man, and not truly on the arm of God. “With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chron 32:8).
Let’s be careful who we listen to, Paul the apostle even said, "Those who seemed to be somewhat… added nothing to me" (Gal 2:6).
Watch out for that head-knowledge stuff. We need the completeness of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Trinity guides us into knowing how. “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40).
So stay with me, because there is hope.
How can the Holy Spirit teach us all things? Or is that just for the disciples and apostles and we don't have to learn anything?
No! We need to be reminded that the Holy Spirit’s goal is to teach us all things, and keep us focused on Jesus – “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
And so, as we listen and focus on the Holy Spirit, we are directed to Jesus, and Jesus presents us to the Father.
The Scriptures teach us to look toward God. As we seek God, the Holy Spirit does his work, and that process mentioned goes into effect and begins a good work in us. And when this happens, our souls and hearts expand with love unspeakable and tears of joy. Seeking God is nothing short of total bliss, which is the definition of glory. We can bask in the glory of the Father in the midst of everything we face.
In fact, just think about those throughout the millennia who knew little or nothing of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but God saw those people seeking the love of God, and they were baptized in the Holy Ghost right on the spot – Peter said, “As I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 11:15-16).
Some people receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit while they are by themselves, others by the laying on of people’s hands. We pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit’s baptism, or as in Peter’s case simply speaking, but whichever way the Spirit of God falls upon people the important point is that the Holy Ghost does come upon people and flow through them. “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Cor 12:11).
After all, where two or more are gathered in Jesus' name, there he is in the midst. That is for our comfort, that we can expect the brethren and sisters to help us stand, just as Aaron and Hur lifted Moses' arms, we too can help one-another.
In order for someone to continually involve themselves in bad behavior means that they have ignored the Holy Spirit's guidance on how to correct their ways. God does not observe us doing bad things without telling us that we are being pulled in the wrong direction – “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at y
