In Him We Live

John 14: 15-21, Acts 17:22-31

Our John passage has been entitled in our Bibles as, “The Promise of the Holy Spirit,” yet there is so much more to explore. Jesus here says if you love me, you will keep my commandments. But by their own weak spirits the disciples cannot do this by themselves They can’t even stay awake in Gethsemane. So, he promises an advocate for them – the Spirit of Truth which will abide in them.

When he talks about the time they will not see him, he is telling about the three days after his crucifixion. These days Christ will be considered a martyr. But Jesus promised them that they will see him again. He is talking about the days he will appear to them after his resurrection from the dead. He says the potent line, “Because I live you also will live.” Not only did Christ have life after death but the disciples will too due to his work on the cross atoning for their sins.

The Acts account was written after Pentecost when the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who believed. Paul is preaching here taking advantage of the altar, “To an unknown god.” He talks about the true God who is superior than those made of gold and silver. He focuses on God the creator of all things, the life giver to all creatures, Lord over nations, and humanity being God’s offspring.

Paul claims the words of Jesus in the John passage, “In him we live, and move, and have our being.” He tells the crowd to change their hearts and lives. We have assurance of new life by Christ rising from the dead. Instead of living their own lives they, as God’s offspring, should believe and by living in Him let the Holy Spirit abide in them.

Not only should we claim eternal life after death but live the truth that Christ is in the Father, and we are in Christ through the Holy Spirit in us boldly saying along with Paul, “In Him we spiritually love, and move, and have our being.” Amen.

 

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