31/05/11

Not a ghost but the Spirit of God

1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.


Some of the translations use the word Holy Ghost for the Holy Spirit. In the Bible we need to very careful of the words we use and what they mean.

The word ghost is defined as a spirit of a man who is dead.

Firstly although we have received the Spirit of Jesus Christ we have not received the spirit of a man but the Spirit of God. Secondly by using the word ghost we are declaring that Jesus Christ has not rising again. Either way we are destroying our any hopes to salvation.

In today's message the Lord is telling us we have not received the spirit of cosmos (translated as world). Like I wrote in one of my previous mails cosmos is a name given to an order or system or power which is earthly not necessary of planet earth but of the level of creation in which we exist.

Because we have received the Spirit Who is beyond our system therefore our thoughts and our ways are beyond the system. We being spiritual truly judge everything yet we ourselves are not judged. If we get into the grammar, our judging is basically that which is visual or earthly or natural and that which is carnal or connected to the inner-man like thoughts, character, attitude, will etc. With regards to spiritual things we simple see things as they are as shown to us by the Spirit of the Lord.

Like Paul writes the things which we give importance are not understood by the people who have not received the Spirit of God.

Even if we believe in Jesus Christ and baptized in Him yet it is not necessary that we have received the Holy Spirit. By believing we are assured the promise of the Holy Spirit but receiving Him or not is our choice.

In the book of Acts people were very clear if they received or not the Holy Spirit and that is by seeing the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in them, like tongues or prophesy etc.

If we do not find these gifts in us and we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour then we just need to ask of Him while emptying ourselves and we are assured the Spirit of God. Understand two masters cannot live in a house so if we have the spirit of cosmos in us we will not be able to receive the Spirit of God. So to receive the Spirit of God let us reject the spirit of cosmos by the knowledge that things of this world even if exist have no power over us. We living in this world should not consider ourselves as citizens of this world but aliens or expatriates.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are Spirit and through your Son Jesus Christ we have received your Spirit. It was through your Spirit that all things were created. Holy Spirit, You alone know things of the Father for You are of the Father. Grow in us, teach us, guide us and build us for our eternal home in Heaven. While we are here in this world let us not be attached to this world and lose You...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripturesr ]
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man痴 wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Acts 2:2-4
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 10:44-48
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Ephesians 1:12-14
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)