55. DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD’S SPIRIT --- DO NOT STIFLE GOD’S SPIRIT ( g )

4) The ‘contaminated’ church of Sardis
The commercial city of Sardis was known for its dye and wool industries and for its immorality. It was a city with a rich history but it had sunk into oblivion. It seems that the church in Sardis had gone down the same path.

This active church still made a positive impression on outsiders. Yet, in the opinion of Jesus Messiah, the Son of God, it was ‘dead’. It seemed to have lost its love for God and the members for each other. It seems that it had forsaken the governing presence of God’s Spirit. Consequently, the church had contaminated itself with the impious ways of its pagan surroundings.

The Lord warns this church:
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive-- but you are dead. Now wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is at the point of death. Your deeds are far from right in the sight of God” (Revelation 3:1-2).

The Lord calls this church to repentance and threatens it with judgment:
“Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again. Unless you do, I will come upon you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.” (Revelation 3:3).

Nevertheless, also in the church in Sardis there were individuals who still loved the Lord and lived to please and obey Him:
“Yet even in Sardis there are some who have not soiled their garments with evil deeds.” (Revelation 3:4).

To those followers of Jesus in Sardis who lived a godly life in the midst of that ‘spiritually decaying church’, the Lord promised His care and keeping:
“They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.” (Revelation 3:4-5)

5) The wealthy and materialistic church of Laodicea
The city of Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3. It was an important commercial and banking centre. It manufactured wool and there was a medical school that produced eye salve. Although an aqueduct brought water from hot springs to the city, it was lukewarm when it finally arrived there.

In the church of Laodicea one would find the same attitude as in the entire city. This church had grown into a wealthy, hardened and self-sufficient community. Here you would find ‘cultural Christians’ who displayed in their lifestyle the complacency that seemingly ruled the entire city. They did not face persecution and enjoyed peace and wealth.

The Lord Jesus severely rebukes this worst of the ‘seven churches’ because of its proud, half-hearted, in-name-only piety:
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!
You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.
I advise you to buy gold from me-- gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich.
And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see” (Revelation 3:15-18).

The Lord Jesus still loves this indifferent church and urges it to repent and return to Him. Evidently, the Lord (and His Spirit!) stands outside this church and knocks at its door.

He addresses every believer in this church personally and says:
“I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference. Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends”
(Revelation 3:19-20).

Even in this church there were people who faithfully followed the Lord in the midst of all the indifference towards the Lord and His love. The Lord encourages them by saying:
“I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

The church of Laodicea was not ensnared by ‘the culture trap’. Neither was it in danger of compromising its Christian standards or condoning pagan attitudes or teachings like other churches in Revelation 2 and 3.

On the contrary, it proudly displayed its self-sufficiency in an affluent society. It might not even have noticed that the Lord and His Spirit stood outside its doors. The transformation into the likeness of Christ was not even a matter for consideration!

This church had lost its glowing start with the Lord, His Spirit and His Word. Oh yes, it might still have been formally Christian, but it had lost its passionate love for the Lord and the members for each other. It was in urgent need of repentance and spiritual renewal. It desperately needed to find its way back to the Lord of life.

Is your church on the slippery slope of the churches of Sardis or Laodicea? Is the Lord standing outside, knocking at your door or at the door of your church? Thankfully, there is always a way back to the heart of our heavenly Father!

Since meditation 49 we have spoken a lot about the danger of bringing sorrow to God’s Spirit or even of stifling Him in our personal lives and in our church communities.

Yet, although this danger is always present because of our rebellious heart, the Good News [Gospel] of Jesus Christ is a positive message full of hope! It is the message of God’s love for sinners and His offer of forgiveness, eternal life and Christlike transformation!

Next week we will start our journey in search of the characteristics of Christlike transformation. Questions abound: what are the distinctive features of a Christlike life? How do my church and I obtain such transformation? How will its qualities grow strong and mature within me and within my church?

I hope you will join me on that journey...


All Bible verses are quotes from the New Living Translation.

54. DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD’S SPIRIT --- DO NOT STIFLE GOD’S SPIRIT ( f )

In the last two meditations on this theme, we will finish our search for answers to questions like “How could a local church bring sorrow to God’s Spirit?” and “How could a local church even stifle Him in His work of Christlike transformation?”

Since meditation 49 we have asked ourselves, why God’s Spirit might be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of a local church? Why might this transformation process even come to a premature halt? Today we start our last topic:

When my church resembles the churches in the book of Revelation....
In the last book of the Bible, the apostle John gives us a picture of the life style of some of the churches in the region of Asia Minor (modern Turkey). One of them (or even some of them) might reflect the way my church works.

Our first question is: Who speaks here to the churches in Asia Minor? All seven letters start with the introduction “This is the message from...” (Revelation 2:1.8.12.18. and 3:1.7.14).

It is clear from what follows that in all cases it is Jesus the Messiah [the Christ], the Son of God, who lectures His churches.

Yet, from all seven letters it is also clear, that the Lord of the Church, who is enthroned in heaven, delivers His messages through His Spirit. It is He who represents Jesus to the local churches.
It is God’s Spirit through whom Jesus Christ wants to prepare every local church for the glorious end-time wedding celebration (See meditations 45-47).

Therefore, every letter to the churches in Asia Minor closes with the words: “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches” (Revelation 2:7.11.17.29 and 3:13.22).

Our second question is: In what way did these churches bring sorrow to God’s Spirit or even stifle Him in His ministry of transforming them into the likeness of Christ?

Let us see how the Lord lectures those churches through His Spirit:

1) The zealous church of Ephesus:
The Lord tenderly affirms the zeal of this dynamic church in Ephesus, the largest city of Asia Minor and the centre of the Roman administration in that province:
"I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people.
You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting” (Revelation 2:2-3).

Yet, their arduous work and nit-picking attitude did not stop the Lord to reprimand them for having lost their passionate love for Him and for each other:
“But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love!
Turn back to me again and work as you did at first. If you don't, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches" (Revelation 2:4-5).

The Lord closes His letter to the Ephesian church with a threatening remark: “If you don't, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches” (Revelation 2:5).

‘The removing of the lampstand’ might be an expression that announces the end of the Spirit’s involvement in the church’s transformation into the likeness of Christ.

When passionate love for the Lord and for each other dies in a church, the church’s business may continue as usual, but the governing and transforming presence of God’s Spirit is stifled and gone.

Yet, the Lord also comforts those Christians within a dead or dying church who swim against the stream and continue to love Him and their Christian brothers and sisters passionately.
He encourages them by saying: “Everyone who is victorious will eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).

2) The permissive church of Pergamum:
The city of Pergamum was the centre of idolatry and Emperor worship in Asia Minor.
The Lord starts His message to the church there by showing appreciation for their faithfulness to Him in the midst of fierce persecution:
“I know that you live in the city where that great throne of Satan is located, and yet you have remained loyal to me. And you refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you by Satan's followers” (Revelation 2:13).

Yet, the Lord also rebukes them as He objects to the way they tolerate ungodly behaviour and false teaching in their church:
“And yet I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you who are like Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel.
He taught them to worship idols by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin.
In the same way, you have some Nicolaitans among you-- people who follow the same teaching and commit the same sins” (Revelation 2:14-15).

It might be easier for a church to stand strong in times of persecution then in times of subtle seduction by an anti-godly culture. The Lord’s reproach to this church is: “you tolerate...”

The church in Pergamum as a whole needs to show regret and get their act together again: “Repent, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:16). Otherwise, the Lord will do what the church should all the way have done.

Again, like with the church in Ephesus, the Lord encourages the individual church members in Pergamum to remain faithful even when the church as a whole strays.
He promises them a royal entrance into God’s eternal Kingdom: “Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven.
And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).

In the West we also live in a permissive society. In how far has a liberal attitude to ungodly morals and values influenced your way of thinking? And your church’s way of thinking?

3) The compromising church of Thyatira:
Thyatira was an industrial city with many trade guilds (to be compared with our modern trade unions). To do business in town meant to be a member of one of those guilds and partake in their festivities, which often lead to licentiousness and debauchery.
Those members of the church in Thyatira who were involved in the town’s commercial activities, were expected to take part in those festivities and in danger to compromise their loyalty to the Lord.

The Lord praises all the honourable activities of the church:
“I know all the things you do-- your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things” (Revelation 2:19).

However, the Lord severely condemns the church in Thyatira for condoning those who preach, practise and promote libertinism and debauchery:
“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman-- that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet-- to lead my servants astray. She is encouraging them to worship idols, eat food offered to idols, and commit sexual sin.
I gave her time to repent, but she would not turn away from her immorality. Therefore, I will throw her upon a sickbed, and she will suffer greatly with all who commit adultery with her, unless they turn away from all their evil deeds.
I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve” (Revelation 2:20-23).

Again, the Lord reassures those in the church who remain faithful to Him and to His Word:
“But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching ('deeper truths,' as they call them-- depths of Satan, really).
I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come. "To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, I will give authority over all the nations.
They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.
They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!” (Revelation 2:24-28).

How tempting it is sometimes to compromise our Christian standards when we are in business or make a career. How tempting it is sometimes for a church to condone humanistic practices in order to be respected by secular society.

Indeed, we constantly need to choose between the ways of the world or the ways of God’s Spirit.

The apostle Paul warns every local church and each of Jesus' followers:
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want” (Galatians 5:16-17).


(to be continued)


The Bible verse Galatians 5:16-17 is a quote of the New International Version. The other texts are all quoted from the New Living Translation.

53. DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD’S SPIRIT --- DO NOT STIFLE GOD’S SPIRIT ( e )

We want to continue our search for answers to questions like “How could a local church bring sorrow to God’s Spirit?” and “How could a local church even stifle Him in His work of Christlike transformation?”

We asked ourselves earlier, why might God’s Spirit be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of a local church? Why might this transformation process even come to a premature halt?

When manifestations of God’s Spirit are ‘extinguished’ in my church.....
Over the centuries there have been many theological arguments and historical developments that have snuffed out various manifestations of God’s Spirit within local churches.

The apostle Paul on the other hand encourages the local churches “to please the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8) and “not to bring sorrow to Him” (Ephesians 4:30) or “stifle Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

The Greek term Paul uses for the Christlike transformation of the local church is often translated in our Bibles by “to build up (in the Lord)”.

In the following texts you’ll find the way this term is used in the New Testament in connection with the local church:

-- “And now I [Paul] entrust you [the Ephesian Elders] to God and the word of his grace-- his message that is able to build you up...” (Acts 20:32)

-- “... try to build each other up. Don't tear apart the work of God...” (Romans 14:19-20)

-- “We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord.” (Romans 15:2)

-- “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)

-- “But one who prophesies is helping others grow [litt. building others up] in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens [litt. builds up] the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 14:3-4)

-- “Since you are so eager to have spiritual gifts, ask God for those that will be of real help to [litt. build up] the whole church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)

-- “Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize what I am saying. When you meet, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in an unknown language, while another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must be useful to all and build them up in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

-- “I [Paul] may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down. And I will not be put to shame by having my work among you destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 10:8)

-- “Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit [litt. for building you up].” (2 Corinthians 12:19)

-- “Their [the church leaders’] responsibility is to equip God's people to do his [God’s] work and build up the church, the Body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.
Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:12-16)

The New International Version translates Ephesians 4:16: “From Him[Jesus Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

-- “Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful (NIV for building others up), so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29)

-- “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

-- “And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple.” (1 Peter 2:5)

From the texts we just mentioned, some verses are of special importance to our meditation:
-- “...love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
-- “...his message [God’s Word] is able to build you up...” ( Acts 20:32)
-- “...to do his [God’s] work and build up the church, the Body of Christ, until ... we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, ... becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his Body, the church..” (Ephesians 4:12-15)
-- “From Him[Jesus Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)
-- “... ask God for those [spiritual gifts] that will be of real help to [litt. build up] the whole church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)

Indeed, “building each other up in the Lord” has first of all to do with “loving each other intensely with all your hearts” (1 Peter 1:22).

In the context of that mutual love, the gifts [manifestations] of God's Spirit are not given for spiritual superstar qualification. On the contrary, they are given to encourage and strengthen Christlike love in the Christian community. (1 Corinthians 14:12).

From all we wrote in this meditation, it is clear that according to the Word of God [the Bible], this “building each other up in the Lord” is one of the main characteristics of a healthy and Christlike church.

It is also clear that a local church cannot produce such Christlike life by its own efforts. It is a transformation process directed by God’s Holy Spirit.

As we said already, in this process the gifts of the Spirit, when used in a Christlike way, have an important ‘booster function’ to grow Christlike love.

So, when my church lacks the manifold gifts [manifestations] of God’s Spirit to increase mutual love, it brings sorrow to the Holy Spirit and might even stifle His work of Christlike transformation.

What might remain is a church with clear biblical teaching regarding God’s Spirit, with inspiring sermons, rousing songs, an impressive liturgy and a well-oiled organisation... Yet, it would be a church without the all-out directive of God’s Spirit as the One who uses His gifts in the process to lead the church to Christlike love and maturity.

We are left with some important questions:
-- Does God’s Spirit encourage and strengthen mutual Christlike love in my church?
-- Does my church sincerely ask God to provide those gifts [manifestations] of His Spirit in my church that will be of real help to grow towards Christlike maturity?
-- Are the gifts of God’s Spirit serving the Christlike transformation progress of my church? Or, are those gifts used for self-glorification of some individuals or to authenticate my church as a‘charismatic community’?
-- Is my church actively seeking how to please God’s Spirit?
-- Is my church in a real danger to bring sorrow to God’s Spirit or even to stifle Him in doing His ministry of Christlike transformation? What would my church need to do to stem that tide?


(to be continued)


The Bible verses 1 Corinthians 8:1 and Ephesians 4:16 are quotes of the New International Version. The other texts are all quoted from the New Living Translation.

52. DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD’S SPIRIT --- DO NOT STIFLE GOD’S SPIRIT ( d )

Today we want to continue our search for answers to questions like “How could a local church bring sorrow to God’s Spirit?” and “How could a local church even stifle Him in His work of Christlike transformation?”

So, why might God’s Spirit be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of a local church? Why might this transformation process even come to a premature halt?

When mutual love and genuine care withers in my church.....
In his letter to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey), the apostle Paul encourages the church to throw off their former selfish way of life and practise living a Christlike life in their Christian community. Paul writes:
“With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused.
Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
They don't care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways.
Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.
But that isn't what you were taught when you learned about Christ.
Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.
Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.
You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness-- righteous, holy, and true.
So put away all falsehood and "tell your neighbor the truth" because we belong to each other (NIV: for we are all members of one body).
And "don't sin by letting anger gain control over you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.
If you are a thief, stop stealing. Begin using your hands for honest work, and then give generously to others in need.
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Follow God's example in everything you do, because you are his dear children Christ has forgiven you.
Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people.
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-- these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world.
Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible anger of God comes upon all those who disobey him.
Don't participate in the things these people do. For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them.
It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But when the light shines on them, it becomes clear how evil these things are. And where your light shines, it will expose their evil deeds. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.
Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life.
Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.
Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 4:17-5:21)

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus is first of all a letter about ‘church life and growth in a Christlike way’. Therefore, in the text we just read he encourages the members of the church, saying:
-- Live no longer as the ungodly do (Ephesians 4:17)
-- Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life (Ephesians 4:22)
-- There must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23)
-- You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness (Ephesians 4:24)
-- Do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. (Ephesians 4:30)
-- Follow God's example in everything you do (Ephesians 5:1)
-- Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2)

From the entire letter it is clear, that Paul doesn’t subject the Ephesian Christians here to a new law to obey. No human being could live up to such godly standards by his own efforts. On the contrary, they should submit themselves to God’s Spirit who lives in and among them. He wants to produce this new, Christlike life in the Ephesian church family.

In the same way Paul urges the followers of Jesus in Galatia (modern Turkey) ‘to follow the way of the Spirit’. It is Him who produces Jesus’ life in the church:
“So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the Law.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.
Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." (Galatians 5:16-22)

From both examples in the New Testament it is clear, that when my church is not controlled by God’s Spirit, or even does not know the Holy Spirit of God, He will be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of my church.


(to be continued)


The Bible verses are quoted from the New Living Translation.
NIV = New International Version

51. DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD’S SPIRIT - DO NOT STIFLE GOD’S SPIRIT ( c )

Today we want to continue our search for answers to questions like “How could a local church bring sorrow to God’s Spirit?” and “How could a local church stifle Him in His work of Christlike transformation?”

So, why might God’s Spirit be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of a local church? Why might this transformation process come to a premature halt?

When my church lacks Christlike leadership... (b)

In the last meditation, we realised that God’s Spirit requires Christlike leaders to lead our churches into Christlike transformation. We recognised that if our churches lack Christlike leadership, true Christlike transformation of our churches might never really take place.

To his co-worker Titus, the apostle Paul explains what Christlike leadership is and what it is not. Because of the way God’s Spirit seeks to change the heart of a church leader, his personality and his conduct should more and more reflect Christ’s personality and conduct:
“An elder must be well thought of for his good life.
He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who are not wild or rebellious.
An elder must live a blameless [Christlike] life because he is God's minister.
He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or greedy for money.
He must enjoy having guests in his home and must love all that is good.
He must live wisely and be fair.
He must live a devout and disciplined life.
He must have a strong and steadfast belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with right teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.” (Titus 1:6-9)

To his co-worker Timothy Paul writes about God’s requirement for elders and deacons in the church to live a Christlike life:
“It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility.
For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against [i.e., a Christlike life].
He must be faithful to his wife.
He must exhibit self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.
He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach.
He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent.
He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money.
He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?
An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall.
Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil's trap and be disgraced.
In the same way, deacons must be people who are respected and have integrity (i.e., live a Christ-like life).
They must not be heavy drinkers and must not be greedy for money.
They must be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith and must live with a clear conscience.
Before they are appointed as deacons, they should be given other responsibilities in the church as a test of their character and ability.
If they do well, then they may serve as deacons.....
A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:1-13)

The apostle Paul closes his words on the divine requirements for church leaders with the weighty annotation:
“I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I can't come for a while, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:14-15)

In the book of Acts we find an early example of a search for Church leaders who were required to live Christlike lives. The apostles instructed the church in Jerusalem to find such men and to give them the task to care for those in need:
“As the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.
So the Twelve [apostles] called a meeting of all the believers. "We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the Word of God, not administering a food program," they said.
"Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (i.e., live Christlike lives).
We will put them in charge of this business ... This idea pleased the whole group...” (Acts 6:1-3 and 5a)

One of the seven men was Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). Three verses later he is called: “a man full of God's grace and power...” (Acts 6:8).

As we saw before, the local church family is the ‘Temple of God’s Spirit’ and needs leaders who are directed by God’s Spirit. They should be a living example of a Christlike lifestyle and be able to lead the church into the process towards Christ-likeness.

The apostle John mentions a case of a church leader who is anything but an example of Christ-likeness to the local church.

In his third letter John addresses a cardinal leadership temptation, ‘the enticement of power’. A church leader who surrenders to that seduction actually takes the place of God’s Spirit in the church. John writes:
“... Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, does not acknowledge our authority.
When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the wicked things he is saying about us.
He not only refuses to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.” (3 John 1:9-10)

Jesus Himself shows the difference between a leader who doesn’t live under the authority of God’s Spirit and the Christlike leader who is guided by God’s Spirit.

On the evening before Jesus gave his life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, He told his disciples to adopt His leadership style:
"In this world the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called 'friends of the people.'
But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
Normally the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not here! For I am your servant.” (Luke 22:25-27)

By reading God’s Word [the Bible], we come to the conclusion that a Christlike leader has a ‘servant's heart’ and is controlled and directed by God’s Spirit as he leads Christ’s church.

That leads us to the following questions:

-- Does your church have Christlike leaders/elders with ‘servant hearts’ who are controlled and directed by God’s Spirit as they lead your church in the process of Christ-likeness?

-- If you are a Church leader/elder, are you a Christlike leader with the heart of a servant?


(to be continued)


The Bible verses are all quoted from the New Living Translation.

50. DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD’S SPIRIT --- DO NOT STIFLE GOD’S SPIRIT ( b )

In meditation 47 we saw that God - Father, Son and Spirit - prepares Christ’s universal church for the glorious end-time, wedding celebration of the Lamb. We also noticed that God does that preparation on a minute scale: one local church at a time within its own geographical and cultural setting!

We understood that not only the universal Body of Christ, but also every true local community of Jesus’ followers is birthed by God’s Spirit.

Furthermore, we realised that God’s Spirit Himself directs the ongoing transformation process into Christ-likeness, so that Christ’s entire Body, spanning all ages, will be prepared for that glorious celebration of the Lamb’s wedding.

Today we will start dealing with issues like “How could a local church bring sorrow to God’s Spirit?” and “How could a local church even stifle Him in His work of Christlike transformation?”

Here are some questions to ponder:

-- What are some of the reasons why God’s Spirit might be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of a local church?

-- What are some of the causes why this transformation process might come to a premature halt?

But before giving further thought to these questions, we need firstly to remind ourselves of two pivotal aspects of church life as far as God’s Word [the Bible] is concerned:

a. God’s Spirit is meant to rule every local church:
You might remember that the apostle Paul reminded the church in Corinth: “Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple [residence] of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?”
(1 Corinthians 3:16)

b. Every local church is meant to grow together into Christ-likeness:
Paul taught the church in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “Their responsibility [pastors and teachers, etc.] is to equip God's people to do his [God’s] work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. ... We will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ...”
(Ephesians 4:12.13.15)

So, why might God’s Spirit be hindered in starting or continuing this Christlike transformation of a local church? Why might this transformation process come to a premature halt?

When Christlike community transformation never really starts...
For the same reasons that personal Christlike transformation might not really start, community transformation might not come into being as well.

It is possible that my local church firmly teaches the importance of personal conversion and rebirth, based on faith in Christ’s sacrifice and the indwelling of God’s Spirit. The teaching of our church might faithfully focus on ‘Christ alone’, ‘grace alone’ and ‘faith alone’ and even have a distinct ‘doctrine of the Holy Spirit’. Yet, without a clear biblical vision on the work of God’s Spirit in our church family, the process of Christlike community transformation might never really start.

The apostle Paul states that it is normal for individual reborn children of God, as well as for local churches, to be directed by God’s Holy Spirit. He declares to the Christians in Rome: “All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14).

A little earlier in Romans he wrote: “... those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
(Romans 8:5)

The early church did not lack teaching on the Holy Spirit’s guidance of church life. As we have seen, the apostolic teaching was unambiguous on the fact that God’s Spirit not only resided in every individual follower of Jesus, but also lived and operated in the local Christian community.

This leads us to ask some cardinal questions:

-- What does my church know about ‘communal guidance’ by God’s Spirit?

-- Has my church received a vision and strategy from God’s Spirit to know how He wants to transform our church family into the likeness of Christ?

I think again of Paul’s passionate sorrowing which I mentioned in meditation 47: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you...” (Galatians 4:19)

As our culture emphasises individualism and independence, we tend to understand that in texts like Galatians 4:19, Paul addresses only individual Christians. Yet, the biblical understanding of such texts comprises individual believers as well as the entire church family.

The Bible teaches clearly that the Holy Spirit wants to start the process of Christlike transformation of our local church right from the start of its birth!

When my church lacks Christlike leadership... (a)
No church is able to function well without good leadership. Yet, for the Holy Spirit to start the process of Christlike transformation in our church, it needs Christlike leaders who are called and trained by Him.

Reminding them of the Spirit’s calling to leadership, the apostle said to the elders of the church in Miletus (modern Turkey): "Be sure that you feed and shepherd God's flock-- his church, purchased with his blood-- over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.” (Acts 20:28)

Paul taught the Christians in Ephesus that Christlike leaders are Jesus’ own gift to the church: “He [Christ] is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11)

The apostle carries on by saying that among other things it is their God-given task to lead the church into Christ-likeness: “Their responsibility is ... to ... build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13)

It is therefore obvious that God’s Spirit requires Christlike leaders to lead our churches into Christlike transformation.

If our churches lack Christlike leadership, true Christlike transformation of our churches might never really take place.

Of course, that does not mean that God does not bless our churches. Neither does it mean that our church leaders could not be a blessing to our churches, nor that our churches could not be a blessing to their local communities and the wider world.

Yet, for aiming at “being mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ” there is more needed than good leadership.....

Finally some crucial questions to conclude this meditation:

-- Is ‘Christ-likeness’ a criterion for choosing leaders/elders in your church?

-- Did the leadership of your church receive a vision and strategy from God’s Spirit for transforming your church family into the likeness of Christ?

-- If you are a leader/elder in your church, do others assess you as a Christlike leader/elder?

In future meditations we will investigate how to ‘measure’ Christlike leadership according to biblical criteria.

(to be continued)


The Bible verse Galatians 4:19 is a quote of the New International Version. The other texts are all quoted from the New Living Translation.

49. DO NOT BRING SORROW TO GOD’S SPIRIT --- DO NOT STIFLE GOD’S SPIRIT ( a )

In meditations 30, 34 and 45, we saw that God’s Spirit directs the transformation process into Christ-likeness in all God’s reborn children during their walk on earth.

Yet, there are many reasons why God’s Spirit might be hindered in continuing this Christlike transformation in people’s lives. It is even possible that this transformation to Christ-likeness never even starts in some people who have been born again. It is also possible that it stops prematurely.

When Christlike transformation never really starts...

It is possible that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and Lord and know that I am God’s child, yet at the same time have no knowledge about being born again by God’s Spirit.

This might be caused by the kind of teaching that I have received. It is possible that the church’s teaching focuses on 'God’s grace' and 'salvation by faith in Jesus’ sacrifice' without ever underlining the work of God’s Spirit in leading a person to rebirth.

Surely, in this case, I am a genuine child of God since saving faith itself is a work of God’s Spirit (see the ‘salvation pictures’ in meditations 38 to 43). However, through a lack of biblical knowledge regarding the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives, the process of Christlike transformation might never really start...

The apostle Paul shows the link between saving faith and the reception of God’s Spirit when he writes to the Ephesian Christians: “You also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...”
(Ephesians 1:13)

Jesus himself teaches that a real conviction of sin is the work of God’s Spirit in someone’s heart: “When he [God’s Spirit, the Comforter] comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgement.” (John 16:7)

The apostle Paul is clear about the fact that being God’s child means having God’s Spirit. He writes to the Christians in Rome:
“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)

Actually, the early church might not have known this problem. As we read the New Testament, it is clear that the followers of Jesus had all received God’s Spirit and knew about His work in their lives. In the same way, God wants us to know about the person of the Holy Spirit and his work in us. The Bible teaches clearly that the Holy Spirit wants to start this Christlike transformation in our hearts right from the day of our salvation!

When the seed of Christlike transformation never really germinates...

We just mentioned that this transformation process is hardly possible if I am not taught about the presence of God’s Spirit in my life from the start of my faith in Christ.

However, it is also possible that I have experienced rebirth by God’s Spirit without ever being taught about the prospect of Christlike transformation.

I might have been taught about the work of God’s Holy Spirit and his gifts to the church. I might have an immense knowledge about all kinds of biblical facts and figures. I might even be a pastor or a Bible teacher. And yet, I might also lack a clear vision about God’s desire to change my life by his Spirit into the likeness of his Son.

In that case a true and genuine transformation into Christ-likeness might hardly germinate. As we mentioned before, the early church in the book of Acts and the letters of the apostles was thoroughly aware about God’s intention to change them into the likeness of Christ. They might not have had this kind of problem.

When Christlike transformation only develops partially...

If I know about 'life through God’s Spirit', but focus on 'spiritual gifts' and 'spiritual experience', I might be in danger of only partially growing into the likeness of Christ.

‘Spiritual pretension’ about what I am and what I possess 'through God’s Spirit' might hinder a genuine transformation into Christ-likeness. I think that this was one of the problems of the church in Corinth.

Speaking about 'the wisdom of God’s Spirit', the apostle Paul says to the christians in Corinth:
“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to mature Christians.
I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.
I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger.
And you still aren't ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3a)

Growing into Christ-likeness initially has to do with character building rather than spiritual gifting and experience.

When Christlike transformation is obstructed by disobedience...

I might have started a life with Christ and have enjoyed the Spirit’s work in my heart. I might even have experienced the process of transformation we have spoken about so often – until the moment I opened my heart to sin and gave in to temptation.

The apostle Paul warns the christians in Corinth of such a danger when he writes:
"All these events (of Israel’s history) happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close.
If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin.
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience.
And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it.
When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)

The sorrow I have brought to God’s Spirit by my disobedience will be taken away when I acknowledge my waywardness and commit myself again to being led by God’s Spirit.

The apostle John comforts us by saying: “If we confess our sins to him [God], he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)

When Christlike transformation is frustrated...

I might have known the Spirit’s transforming work in my life but then might return to a lifestyle of self-righteousness in trying to obey God’s laws in my own strength. In that case I will frustrate the transforming work of God’s Spirit.

Paul alerts the Galatian christians of such a heresy:
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?
Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
Are you so foolish?
After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:1-3)

In this case I could stifle the work of God’s Spirit in my heart and return to a life of self-reliance and self-righteousness. I would need to learn anew what Christlike transformation is all about and how only God’s Spirit is able to accomplish this.

When Christlike transformation comes to a halt...

If I have known God’s work in my life, but then return to a worldly lifestyle, give up the faith and/or follow false teachings, then I bring the work of God’s Spirit in my heart to a halt. The Bible warns us earnestly about such a ruinous attitude.

Paul writes to his co-worker Timothy: “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica...”
(2 Timothy 4:10)

The apostle John warns us for such conduct when he writes: “Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you.
For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.
And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

The apostle Paul instructs Timothy: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

We bring joy to God - Father, Son and Spirit – when we entrust ourselves to being led by the Holy Spirit.

As I am God’s reborn child, He wants me to understand that my body is a vehicle [temple] of His Spirit in this world.

The apostle Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Corinth of the importance of their bodies in the transforming work of God’s Spirit: “Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Paul urges the christians in Ephesus: “Do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

Paul cautions God’s reborn children in Thessalonica not to obstruct the leading of His Spirit in their hearts by taking the reins of life in their own hands again: “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:19)

Finally, to the christians in Rome Paul writes: “Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-- the kind he will accept.
When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new [Christlike] person by changing the way you think.
Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”
(Romans 12:1-2)

Christlike transformation might be prevented or stifled in people’s private lives. However, it also might be hindered or halted in the life of entire churches or other Christian communities. That will be the theme of our next meditation.


The Bible verses Ephesians 1:13, Romans 8:9, Galatians 3:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:10 and 1 Timothy 4:1-2 are quotes of the New International Version. The other texts are quoted from the New Living Translation.

34. IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS !

In meditation 33 we saw that God’s Holy Spirit is the hallmark of the new Messianic Covenant [the New Testament]. This is why we have already seen in meditations 29-32 the many ways in which God the Holy Spirit works in and through the individual followers of Jesus, as well as in and through the entire Body of Christ [Body of the Messiah].

It is because of this that the apostle Paul calls himself a ‘servant of a new covenant of the Spirit’: “He [God] has made us competent as ministers [servants] of a new covenant ... of the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

However, in the Bible the Good News [the Gospel] is never called "the Good News of the Spirit", but always "the Good News of (Jesus) Christ" !

When Paul talks of his ministry, he points out that he has been empowered for it by God’s Spirit. Yet, the content of his message was always and only about the person and work of Jesus Christ, God’s Messiah:
“I have won them over by the miracles done through me as signs from God -- all by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ all the way from Jerusalem clear over into Illyricum [a mountainous region on the east of the Adriatic]” (Romans 15:19).

To the Christians in Corinth, Paul says: “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
(1 Corinthians 2:2)

The apostle could even write to the followers of Jesus in Galatia (modern Turkey): “I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
(Galatians 2:20)

From all we have seen before, it is clear that the special ministry of God the Holy Spirit, within the framework of the new covenant, is: (a) to put Jesus’ life and work in the spotlight; (b) to reproduce Jesus’ life in his followers.

On the evening before his death, Jesus himself speaks about the fact that God’s Spirit will focus on him: “I will send you the Counselor -- the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me” (John 15:26).

The apostle Paul shows that the Holy Spirit wants to reproduce Jesus’ life in us: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him [Jesus] and reflect his glory even more” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

All other manifestations of God’s Spirit within the individual followers of Jesus and within the Messianic community/communities (see meditations 29-32) have only one objective: to highlight Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and to reproduce Jesus’ life in his followers.

In the next meditations, we will not focus so much on what the Bible says concerning the manifold manifestations of God’s Spirit within the Body of Christ, but will discover what the Bible tells us about Christlike maturity and how to get there...


The Bible verse 2 Corinthians 3:6 is quoted from the ‘New International Version’. 1 Corinthians 2:2 is a quote from the New King James Version. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.

33. INTERRUPTION (p) - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY ? (conclusion)

In conclusion we want to see how the ministry of God’s Spirit in the lives of Jesus’ followers stands in the context of the entire Old Testament.

m) The Holy Spirit is the hallmark of the new, eternal Messianic Covenant [New Testament] between God and the followers of Jesus:

Over the centuries, God has made various covenants with individuals and entire peoples. In the light of our meditations,
3 covenants have our special attention:

— 1. God’s eternal Covenant with Abraham

The first book of the Bible gives us an account of God’s covenant with Abraham, the patriarch of the people Israel: “Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come.’”
Genesis 17:9)

God promised Abraham that this covenant would be an eternal covenant: “God replied, ‘Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my everlasting covenant with him and his descendants” (Genesis 17:19).

Furthermore, God promised Abraham that because of his obedience to God the entire earth would be blessed through his offspring [i.e., Jesus the Messiah]:
“[God] said, ‘I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore ... and through your offspring [Jesus Christ, the Messiah] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me’” (Genesis 22:16-18).

— 2. God reaffirms his Covenant with Abraham on Mount Sinai with the people of Israel. This covenant is called the Mosaic or Sinai Covenant

After Moses delivered God’s people Israel out of Egypt’s captivity, God made a covenant with them in the desert at Mount Sinai. The hallmark of that covenant was the gift of the Law [including the Ten Commandments].

The ratification of that covenant was carried out through animal sacrifice. In fact, this covenant was a renewal of God’s eternal covenant with Abraham: “Then Moses sprinkled the blood from the basins over the people and said, ‘This blood confirms the covenant the LORD has made with you in giving you these Laws.’”
(Exodus 24:8)

— 3a. God fulfils his eternal Covenant with Abraham in his Messianic Covenant with Israel

Centuries later, God promises to make a new covenant [New Testament] with his people Israel, based on the eternal covenant God made with their ancestor Abraham:
“‘The day will come,’ says the LORD, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt [i.e., the Sinai Covenant]. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,’ says the LORD.
‘But this is the new covenant [Messianic Covenant] I will make with the people of Israel on that day,’ says the LORD. ‘I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people’” (Jeremiah 31:31-33).

The hallmark of this new eternal covenant between God and Israel is the gift of God’s Holy Spirit:
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols.
And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you.
I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my Laws and do whatever I command” (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

Moses was the mediator between God and his people Israel when God made the Sinai covenant with them. Jesus Christ [the Messiah] is the mediator of the new Messianic Covenant between God and his people Israel:
“... Christ [the Messiah] is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant [Sinai covenant]” (Hebrews 9:15).

The Sinai covenant was a temporal renewal of God’s eternal covenant with Abraham. The new covenant would be the eternal fulfilment of God’s covenant with Abraham:

The Sinai covenant was ratified by animal blood, this new covenant would be ratified by the blood of God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah.

At the end of the Passover meal on the evening before Jesus died, he took the last of the four special cups of wine and said to his friends: “This cup is the new [messianic] covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:20).

— 3b. The eternal Messianic Covenant [New Testament] is not only for all the Jews who follow Jesus the Messiah, but also for all non-Jews [Gentiles] who follow him

God had promised Abraham that through his offspring [Jesus the Messiah] all the nations on earth would be blessed (see above Genesis 22:16-18). God fulfilled that promise by means of the new Messianic Covenant.

When God ratified that by the blood of his messianic Son, he invited not only Jews but also non-Jews [Gentiles] to enter into that new covenant. All covenant partners would receive forgiveness of their sins and the gift of God’s Spirit. Together they would become a new people, called the Body of the Messiah [the Body of Christ].

The apostle Paul explains all this to the Gentile [non-Jewish] followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey):
“Don't forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders by birth. You were called "the uncircumcised ones" by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.
In those days you were living apart from Christ [the Jewish Messiah]. You were excluded from God's people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.
But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to him because of the blood of Christ.
For Christ himself has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us. By his death he ended the whole system of Jewish law that excluded the Gentiles (i.e., the Sinai Covenant).
His purpose was to make peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new person from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
He has brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and to us Jews who were near.
Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.
We are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.
Through him you Gentiles are also joined together as part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:11-22).

Have you entered into this new covenant with God?

Did you receive forgiveness of your sins through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ and have you received God’s Spirit as the hallmark of this new and eternal Covenant?

With this meditation we are coming to the end of our interruptions (meditations 18-33).

Next week we will return to our original theme: how does God change our rebellious and proud hearts into a Christlike life of love towards God and our fellow man?


The Bible verses Genesis 17:9, Genesis 22:16-18, Hebrews 9:15 and Luke 22:20 are quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.

32. INTERRUPTION (o) - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY ? (continuation)

Today we continue with another feature of the ministry of God’s Spirit to those who have received the new life of salvation:

l) He empowers Jesus’ followers with specific capacities [the Spirit's gifts] and gives them responsibilities to serve God, each other and the wider world:

The apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian followers of Jesus about the bountiful ways in which God’s Spirit manifests himself in the Messianic community [i.e. the Body of Christ]:
“Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us.”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

In addition, Paul explains that the Holy Spirit manifests himself to each follower of Jesus and not only to some ‘spiritual superstars’ or to the leaders of the church: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one...” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

Later on in the same chapter he repeats that statement to underline its importance: “One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
(1 Corinthians 12:11)

However, these manifold demonstrations of the Spirit’s presence is not for our self-glorification, to set us in the spotlight. On the contrary, God’s (Christlike) Spirit wants to empower Jesus’ followers to serve God, each other and the wider world in a Christlike way. The manifestations of God’s Spirit are given: “... for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

Not only does the Holy Spirit ‘shower’ his plentiful gifts on the followers of Jesus, he also distributes functions and responsibilities to each of them. The apostle Paul explains that to the Christians in Rome:
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do.
And since we are all one body in Christ [the Messiah], we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well...”
(Romans 12:4-6)

Speaking about everyone’s Christlike ministry within the Messianic community [the Body of Christ], Paul writes:
“We will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).

Finally, the apostle Paul writes about how every follower of Jesus is called to serve God in a Christlike way within the Messianic community and in the wider world. He says: “...Now we can really serve God ... in the new way, by the Spirit” (Romans 7:6).

Are you a follower of Jesus?
Has someone taught you how to serve God by his Spirit in a Christlike way?
Through what kind of ministry do you serve God by his Spirit?


The Bible verses 1 Corinthians 12:7 and 1 Corinthians 12:11 are quoted from the New King James Version. 1 Corinthians 12:7 is also quoted from the New International Version. All other texts are quotes of the New Living Translation.

31. INTERRUPTION (n) - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY ? (continuation)

Let us continue with some more important facets of the ministry of God’s Spirit to those who have received the new life of salvation:

h) He is the ‘Paraclete’ of Jesus’ followers:

Jesus describes God’s Spirit as the ‘Paraclete’. This Greek word can be translated as helper, counsellor, comforter, encourager or even advocate.

The evening before Jesus dies, he promises his disciples that - once he has returned to heaven - he will ask God the Father to send another ‘Paraclete’ (like Jesus himself) to them. This ‘Paraclete’ [the Holy Spirit] will represent Jesus so intimately, that Jesus himself can say: “I will come to you.”

That evening Jesus promises his disciples: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor [Paraclete] to be with you for ever ..... The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18).

The apostle Paul prays for the Christians in Thessalonica (Greece). He asks God the Father and God the Son to help them (through the ‘Paraclete’, the Holy Spirit) to live their daily lives in a God-pleasing way:
“May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

Luke describes how the messianic community in Israel was supported by the ‘Paraclete’ [the Holy Spirit]: “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31).

i) He is the intermediate between God the Father and God the Son in heaven, and Jesus’ followers on earth:

The apostle Paul reminds the Jewish and Gentile [non-Jewish] followers of Jesus that “... all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ [the Messiah] has done for us” (Ephesians 2:18).

Paul explains to the Roman Christians that, as we pray to God the Father, it is the Holy Spirit who presents our prayers fervently and in a God-pleasing manner before God’s throne: “The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will” (Romans 8:26-27).

j) He is the Author of God’s Word [the Bible]. He teaches God’s Word to Jesus' followers and gives them through it a deeper understanding about Jesus Christ [the Messiah]:

The apostle Paul declares to his co-worker Timothy: “All Scripture [the Bible] is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”
(2 Timothy 3:16)

One commentary explains in what way the Bible is ‘inspired by God’: “The Scriptures ... [have] been ordained by God's authority and produced by the enabling of his Spirit.”

The apostle Peter writes: “It was the Holy Spirit who moved the [Old Testament] prophets to speak from God” (2 Peter 1:21).

On the evening before Jesus dies, he promises his friends that the coming Holy Spirit will teach them God’s Word from a Christ-centred perspective: “When the Father sends the Counselor as my representative - and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit - he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you” (John 14:26).

And again: “I will send you the Counselor-- the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me” (John 15:26).

k) He is called ‘the Spirit of truth’ and empowers Jesus’ followers to proclaim the Good News about Jesus Christ [the Messiah] and to teach God’s Word in a God pleasing way:

Already the prophet Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah that God’s Spirit will enable him to proclaim God’s Word: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me [Jesus Christ], because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news...” (Isaiah 61:1).

Jesus promises his disciples that the coming Holy Spirit will empower them to share the Good News with others: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The apostle Paul reveals to the Christians in Corinth who it is that inspires him as he teaches God’s Word: “When we tell you this [God’s Word], we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths” (1 Corinthians 2:13).

The apostle Paul urges the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey) that they should ‘join forces’ with the Holy Spirit when they teach God’s Word. Others will not be convinced of its life-saving importance by mere human ideas.

Only when God’s Spirit enables Jesus’ followers to share God’s Word [the Bible] in a God pleasing way, it will open the hearts of the listeners to God’s truth: “... take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

When you speak with others about Jesus, do you verbalise your own thoughts about the Gospel [Good News] or does God’s Spirit inspire you how to share God’s Word [the Bible] with them?


The Bible verses John 14:16-18, Acts 9:31 and Acts 1:8 are quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.

30. INTERRUPTION (m) - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY ? (continuation)

Let us continue to look into some significant aspects of the ministry of God’s Spirit, especially into those that refer to the new life of salvation:

d) He wants to produce a Christlike life in the followers of Jesus:

Last week we saw how the apostle John explains in his Gospel that God’s life-giving Spirit wants to ‘rebirth’ us as children of God: “To all who believed him [Jesus] and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-- this rebirth comes from God” (John 1:12-13).

Today we want to meditate upon the fact that the new life, which is born in us through the action of the Holy Spirit, is actually the life of Jesus Christ!

The apostle Paul pleads with God on behalf of the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey). He asks God the Father that the Holy Spirit may increase Christ’ life in their hearts:
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.
And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.
May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.
Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:16-19).

Paul reminds the Christians in Rome how God has filled their hearts with his love (i.e., Christ’s love): “We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5).

The apostle explains to the Christians in Corinth (Greece) that God’s Spirit wants to produce a Godlike (i.e., Christlike) life in our hearts: “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”
(2 Corinthians 3:18).

To the followers of Jesus in Galatia (modern Turkey) the apostle Paul shows what that Godlike or Christlike life looks like in practice: “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

e) He wants to empower the followers of Jesus to overcome their rebellious past:

Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Rome just who it was that released them from their disposition to rebel against God: “The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:2).

A few chapters further on, the apostle urges his Christian friends to allow God the Son (through the presence of the Holy Spirit) to reign over their lives:
“We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior.
Don't participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy.
But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires” (Romans 13:13-14).

To the Christians in Galatia, Paul says the same: “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16).

f) He is the dispenser of God’s wisdom and counsel so that Jesus’ followers can know God’s will and serve him:

Not only is God’s Spirit the giver of a new, eternal and Christlike life. He also wants to entrust to Jesus’ followers God’s wisdom and counsel. Then they can live a life in obedience to God’s will.

The prophet Isaiah had already forseen that the Holy Spirit would reveal God’s wisdom and counsel to Jesus Christ [the Messiah]: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2).

The apostle Paul prays that the Holy Spirit will reveal God’s wisdom and counsel to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17).

g) He guides Jesus’ followers:

The Bible teaches us a lot about the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Jesus and his followers. Here are four examples:

During his time on earth, Jesus himself was led by the Spirit of God: “Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness...” (Luke 4:1).

Luke tells us in Acts 13:2-4 how the Holy Spirit guided the prophets and teachers in Antioch (modern south-east Turkey): “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.”

The apostle Paul clarifies the spiritual status of those who have received a new and eternal life from God’s Spirit: “All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14).

To the Christians in Galatia (modern Turkey) Paul writes: “If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25).

Are you a follower of Jesus and do you experience the guidance of God’s Spirit in your life?


The Bible verse Ephesians 1:17 is quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.

29. INTERRUPTION (l) - WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY ?

The Bible recounts the vast and boundless ministry of God the Holy Spirit in a majestic way. Let us consider some momentous aspects of his ministry, especially those that refer to the new life of salvation:

a) He is the giver of life:

The book Job testifies how God’s Spirit created the universe: “His Spirit made the heavens beautiful...” (Job 26:13).

The first book of the Bible testifies that the Spirit of God started to ‘incubate’ the immeasurable variety of life on earth: “The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface” (Genesis 1:2).

The coming of Jesus Christ [the Messiah] into our world was a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit: “The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you [the virgin Mary], and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God'” (Luke 1:35).

Jesus himself explains that it is the Holy Spirit who gives a new and eternal life to all those who repent of their rebellion and wrongdoings and receive God’s forgiveness: “It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). (See meditations 26 and 27)

The apostle Paul exults about this new life in his letter to the followers of Jesus in Rome: “The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:2).

The apostle John explains in his Gospel that God’s life-giving Spirit ‘rebirths’ us as children of God: “To all who believed him [Jesus] and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan - this rebirth comes from God” (John 1:12-13).

The apostle Paul shows that the Holy Spirit awakens in the hearts of all those who are reborn, a deep desire to call God their Father: "You did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave [of sin] again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’" (Romans 8:15).

b) He creates a new (messianic) community, consisting of all the followers of Jesus:

The apostle Paul shows the followers of Jesus in Corinth that as reborn children of God they belong to a new community, called the ‘Body of Christ’, or the ‘Body of the Messiah’. This messianic community is universal in being, and knows no discrimination of status, race, colour or nationality:
“Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles [non-Jews], some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Furthermore, the apostle Paul urges the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (modern Turkey) to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to strengthen this God-given community life among them: “Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

c) His presence in the lives of Jesus’ followers is God’s guarantee of the new heaven and earth to come:

The apostle Paul rejoices with the followers of Jesus in Corinth about the fact that the renewing presence of God’s Spirit in their hearts is like a first ‘instalment’ of the new creation to come: “[God] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
(2 Corinthians 1:22).

To the Christians in Rome, Paul even speaks about the new eternal body they will receive when the new creation has become a reality: “And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering.
We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us” (Romans 8:23).

To the followers of Jesus in Ephesus, Paul explains that the fact that they received God’s Spirit is the proof that God will keep his promises concerning the new heaven and new earth to come: “The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us everything he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God.”
(Ephesians 1:14)

In the same letter Paul summarises the basic facts of salvation: “And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” (Ephesians 1:13)

Do you trust Jesus Christ [the Messiah] for salvation and did you receive the Holy Spirit once you believed? If so, then you are God’s own, beloved child.


The Bible verses Luke 1:35, Romans 8:15, 2 Corinthians 1:22 are quoted from the ‘New International Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New Living Translation’.

28. INTERRUPTION (k) - WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT ?

At various places in the first book of the Bible, God expresses himself in the plural (see also meditation 18):

• In Genesis 1:26 God speaks in the plural when he decides to create man: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...’” (see also meditation 18).

• Again, God refers to himself in the plural after Adam and Eve start to rebel against him: “And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil...”
(Genesis 3:22)

• When rebellious men want to deify themselves and build a godlike society (tower of Babel), God speaks of himself in the plural when he responds with judgment: “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other” (Genesis 11:7).

It is especially in the New Testament that God (who is one) starts to make himself known as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

The apostle John writes in his first letter: “There are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word [i.e. Jesus Christ] and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one” (1 John 5:7).

The New Testament often mentions God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit even in one verse. Here are three examples:

• The evening before Jesus dies, he promises his disciples that he will send the Holy Spirit to them once he is back in heaven after his resurrection: “When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me” (John 15:26).

• When Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is stoned we read of him: “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily upward into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand” (Acts 7:55).

• The apostle Paul finishes his second letter to the Christians in the Greek town of Corinth with the following prayer: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

We just read in Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...’”

Furthermore, the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae (modern Turkey): “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).

Finally, Jesus himself said: “When you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me” (John 12:45) .

So, we must not guess how God the Holy Spirit looks like. The last three Bible verses lead us to an overwhelming discovery. God the Father and God the Holy Spirit look like Jesus!


The Bible verses Acts 7:55, Colossians 1:15 and John 12:45 are quoted from the ‘New Living Translation’. 1 John 5:7 is a quotation from the New King James Version’. All other texts are quotes of the ‘New International Version’.