Tidings for Tuesday
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Two types of Christians (or people who say they are Christians) use today’s text to make great mistakes. The first type claims that because of God’s presence within them, they are now incapable of sinning. We know that is not true by simply watching their behaviour. The second type claims that because they are still prone to sin and weakness, the One Who is in them is not very powerful. We know that is not true either, because we all know some Christians who have been living victorious and fruitful lives for Christ since they were saved. In fact, our text refers to those who have overcome the evil forces and false teachers around them. So if it is the same Holy Spirit dwelling in each believer, how do some experience failure and disappointment while others experience joyful victory? It is critical that we know the answer to that.
The Lord Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would come after He was gone. ‘Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you’ (John 16:7). At Pentecost, this great promise was fulfilled in a miraculous display of power. The apostles and other Christians were marked by tongues as of fire, they were given the ability to speak in different languages, and they were infused with great boldness and power in their preaching of the Gospel. Since that moment, the Holy Spirit has come on all who believe. And He has filled various roles. But it should be noted that these roles of the Holy Spirit are incumbent on the Christian allowing the Spirit to work in our lives. He works only as we give Him control over our lives. This means that failure in our Christian experience is not His fault, but ours.
As noted in John 16:7, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. In a cold comfortless world that is shrouded in misery and hopelessness, the Christian has the very Source of comfort dwelling within. The Spirit is also our Sanctifier, enabling us to be holy. He is our Teacher, guiding us into all truth (John 16:13). He is our Paraclete, or Advocate, constantly pleading our case before God. He is our Encourager, providing us with the necessary desire and ambition to carry on in times of difficulty. And He is our Seal, the mark that God has placed upon us to identify us as His own. Even when no one else knows that we are Christians, God knows because of the Seal that forever proclaims us His.
We can overcome, because the One in us is greater than the one in the world. But He needs our permission. -Jim MacIntosh