Straight Talk

But there is a major missing element in finding healing—it is the power of God working in us.  We are not just cerebral beings, able to change who we are by dint of our thinking, while that is a big part … our hearts and souls must be engaged as well. 

God the Father sent us Jesus, who taught us how to live and to love, and then became the supreme sacrifice on the cross for our sins.  Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.  Remember the night Jesus looked into his disciples’ faces and told them he was about to leave them, but that he would send another after him?  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.¹  Other Bible translations use the words Helper or Comforter to describe the Holy Spirit, such a unique member of the Trinity. 

Jesus went so far as to say it was better for them (his friends and disciples), if he went away - Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.² When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.³

The Apostle Paul teaches a lot about right thinking and living, including:  You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had – humility⁴, Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.⁵ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.⁶

Look what Paul said so simply to Timothy:  What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.⁷ It is the Holy Spirit of God within us that heals and transforms us. 

Even though I love the expression, “God created the Grand Canyon but he lives in Sedona,” I believe it is only partially true.  God does not live in Sedona because he created its beauty, he does not live in Sedona because people wanting spirituality go there … God resides in the souls of believers in Sedona, San Clemente, and Sumatra who have invited him into their lives.

God sent the Son, and the Son sent the Holy Spirit to those who have chosen him.

It is the Holy Spirit within us that changes our desires to look more like God’s, it is the Holy Spirit who can change anger and bitterness into forgiveness and joy.  The Holy Spirit is the agent of change in our lives.

The Holy Spirit interprets the heart of the Father to our minds, and the saving nature of Jesus to our souls.  He alone is the reason we are able to know that we know that we know that God will never leave us.  As Christ followers, we do not go through life without him—he is inside us!

Want to be healed from your brokenness? 

It starts with the recognition that you need God--

recognizing the work of Jesus,

repenting of your sins and godless ways

asking God to lead your life.  Then the Holy Spirit comes, he comes to you.

As Jesus said, ‘I am with you, but he will be in you.’                         

Now real healing can begin.

Straight talk.

Christine

^{1 –John 14.16-17, NLT}

^{2 – John 16.7, HSCB}

^{3 – John 16.13, HSCB}

^{4 – from Philippians 2}

^{5 – Ephesians 4.31}

^{6 – 1 Thessalonians 5.18}

^{7 - 2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV}