I Am Free At Last!

There is freedom from sin’s control and condemnation through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is Christ who died in our stead and for our sins; He was buried demonstrating He truly died and that sin was actually fully paid for! He also rose again from the dead on the third day proving the Father accepted His complete payment for sin. The resurrection of Christ also demonstrated that Christ has no more obligations to sin’s debt. He is free and so is everyone who has repented and placed their faith in Christ. Yes, Beloved, we are free in the Lord Jesus. Not free to sin, but free from its control, condemnation, and eternal consequences. We are free to live up to God’s design and expectations for each of us as His children.

Our freedom in Christ is directly related to two main concepts in the Bible:

·        Redemption —we have been redeemed by Christ Jesus with His precious blood.

·        Service —we, as believers, are to serve our new Master.

The choice to receive Christ and God’s forgiveness avails to us spiritual redemption; becoming a child of God also places us into the service of God. Not service for our salvation, but service because we are saved and have a new purpose in Christ. After all, God’s people no longer serve sin (Rom. 6)!

Make no mistake about this, a failure to receive Christ and His payment for our sins keeps a person from experiencing redemption. Such rejection of Christ effectively enslaves an individual in servitude to the “law of sin and death.” My friend, there is NO hope in this scenario….

Perhaps we will appreciate this more if we understand something about the basis and foundation of our spiritual freedom in Christ.

Consider the Truth that Redemption is the Foundation of Spiritual Freedom

Paul makes the following incredible statements in Colossians 1:13-14, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”.

A wonderful and notable truth is expressed in this passage. God the Father has rescued believers from the power of darkness and has placed us in the grand kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ! We have a new master and authority in our lives that is superior to any and all others. His name is King Jesus! As believers we also presently possess “redemption” through the blood of our Lord. As a result this great passage informs us that we currently have been forgiven for our sins. We are no longer guilty before God, but are now forgiven by Him! As God intervened for Israel to rescue her from Egyptian bondage, He has likewise intervened for us to deliver us from the bondage of the Devil into the freedom of Christ Jesus and the blessings He affords us.

All of this is entirely interesting, but let us consider further the thought of “redemption through his blood”. The Cross of Calvary laid the essential foundation for our salvation and redemption!

Redemption in New Testament Times and Culture Referred to Freedom.

This honestly recognizes what redemption means and how the term was used in the First Century.

Redemption Was for Freedom

Actually the word “redemption” in the Greek and Roman culture literally referred to the purchase of a slave from the marketplace, with the purpose of giving the slave his freedom.

Redemption Required a Price

This is basically true with any purchase. “Redemption” means “to buy back” or “to save from captivity by paying a ransom.” One way to buy back a slave was to offer an equivalent or superior slave in exchange. That is the way God chose to buy sinful people back—He offered his precious Son in exchange for us. Please allow this incredible reality to sink deeply into your consciousness, because it has life-transforming potential and power! The wonderful Lord Jesus Christ, the darling Son of God, was exchanged for you and me. God truly and deeply wanted our spiritual freedom!

Redemption in the New Testament Teaching Emphasizes the Price of Freedom.

Note the crystal clear words of the familiar First Peter 1:18-19, reminding us by saying, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

Beloved, it was not mere money, silver, or gold that could pay for our sins. Something grander, more glorious, and more significant was required. What? you ask.... Peter tells us it was the “precious blood of Christ” the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Again this was not mere "blood." Peter did not only say "precious blood." No, Beloved, he said the "precious blood of Christ"! God's very own Son died while profusely suffering  for our sin! Freedom was secured at a tremendous price! It is entirely true for Christ Jesus, that ‘freedom is NOT free!’ It is free to every believer, but it is far from cheap. Our freedom must be a valuable matter to our great God! Oh how we should value and treasure our salvation..... It should be prized more than money, silver, gold, or platinum.... Our redemption price was the blood of the Son of God!

Christ’s Blood Was the Redemption Price

In spiritual terms, redemption refers to the blood Jesus paid; the “ransom” that was required for each of us to be set free from enslavement to our sinful nature. It is the required cost for us to experience the fullness of God’s extravagant forgiveness. God provided a total means of redemption through the bloodshed and death of Jesus on the cross.

Redemption is not the product of human efforts, good deeds, noble gestures of kindness, or human inventions that actually help our fellow man. No! All of these things are good in and of themselves, but they cannot and do not secure our redemption and freedom from the penalty and power of sin. Consider the Song of Redemption the ransomed of the ages will sing around the throne of God in heaven one day in Revelation 5:9, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou [Jesus Christ] art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; [both his death and bloodshed were essential for our salvation].” In that eternal day, we will correctly accredit the blood and death of Christ as the redemptive price for our spiritual freedom!

Redemption Was Christ’s Stated Goal and Purpose

The Lord Jesus explicitly stated his purpose for coming to live with humanity for the brief season of his earthly life. Redemption was his focus and stated goal. MacDonald observed,

Redemption describes the act whereby we were bought from the slave market of sin. The Lord Jesus, as it were, put a price tag on us. How highly did He value us? He said, in effect, “I value them so highly that I am willing to shed My blood to purchase them. (MacDonald, W. (1995); Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Jesus taught His disciples that His very purpose was to provide redemption for you, me, and even the entire world. He said in Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus understood a price must be paid to free us from our spiritual bondage, and He came with that very intent. Christ’s life was the ransom payment!  Notice the same truth echoed by Mark in Mark 10:45, asserting, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus clearly stated He came to lay the essential foundation for our redemption. If men could save themselves or if there were some other way, Christ never would have paid such an incredible price for our redemption. It is imperative that we understand that Christ laid the foundation for our redemption and not we for ourselves.

Paul also referred to the redemptive purpose of Jesus when he wrote, First Timothy 2:5-6, saying, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Once again God communicates to us that Christ willingly gave himself a ransom payment for all humanity at Calvary’s Cross! Calvary was God’s fascinating design, and not a miscalculation that went wrong somehow!

Redemption in the Whole Bible and Plan of God is the Exchange of Life for Freedom. Redemption is not a concept limited to the New Testament.

Remember When God Redeemed Israel from Egyptian Enslavement?

The word “redemption” has a rich Old Testament meaning and goes back, once again, to the analogy of Israel’s rescue and deliverance from Egypt. The last plague and disaster God sent upon the Egyptians was the death of the children (Ex 12:29-30). Every firstborn son of the Egyptians died, but the Israelite children were spared because the Israelites placed the blood of a lamb on their doorframes (Ex 12:22-23). This is just one place where the concept of “redemption” is vividly illustrated in the Bible. Notice again two common facets:

·        The Price of Bloodshed and Death

·        The Exchange of Life for Freedom

Actually, The Message of Redemption Can Be Seen from Cover to Cover in the Bible.  Note carefully the following observations:

·        God planned for our redemption (Gen. 1–3)

·        God required redemption (Gen. 3:21)

·        God prepared the way for redemption (Gen. 12–Mal.)

·        God instituted His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ (the Gospels)

·        News of God’s redemptive plan was spread (Acts)

·        God's redemptive plan was explained (the Epistles)

·        God's redemption of man will be consummated (Revelation)

The entire Bible is the story of God’s redeeming love. Obviously God desires for His people to be free! It is no stretch of the imagination to note that God sacrificed greatly to secure our freedom! We can also safely conclude that our spiritual obligations to God are colossal!

Your and my spiritual freedom has been purchased for us by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as no slave can redeem himself, so no person can redeem himself spiritually. Stop trying to make your own way to God and come to God by the means He has already provided. Come through the Cross of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Stop trying to earn your own way; this method is as old as sin, and it still does not work (Gen. 3). God laid the foundation for redemption Himself. We do not need to lay another foundation! Place your trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God who became a man for the purpose of dying for our sins. He literally died and made full payment for all sin two thousand years ago. We know that God the Father accepted Christ’s payment because God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. Since Christ is alive we can come to Him and trust Him for forgiveness and redemption. If you have never trusted Jesus Christ to save you then you need to do so today. In fact, now is as good an opportunity as ever. God went through the extremes to have you for Himself…He even gave His beloved Son in the process… Surely you do not want to reject His grand redemption believing you can make it on your own!  

As genuine Believers, we are indebted forever to the One who paid the price for our freedom, since there is no means by which we can pay Him back for what He has done for us. We have a great debt of gratitude; indeed, we “owe” our eternal lives to Christ Jesus, who purchased our freedom for us.

Once again note the insightful words of MacDonald,

Since we have been purchased at such a tremendous cost, it should be clear to us that we no longer belong to ourselves; we have been bought with a price. Therefore we should not live our lives the way we choose. Borden of Yale pointed out that if we take our lives and do what we want with them, we are taking something that does not belong to us, and therefore we are thieves! (MacDonald, W. (1995); Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Yes, God has given us freedom in Christ and we are to use that freedom to honor and glorify Him! I challenge you, by the grace that has been given me in Christ Jesus, to live free! Let freedom ring! Be free indeed! If the Son of God has made you free then live like it! We are NOT slaves to our will, but to His—that is freedom! We are NOT slaves to the Devil; we have a new Master in Jesus Christ—that is freedom! We are NOT enslaved by sinful habits and practices; we are free to reject all sinful indulgences by the power of Jesus Christ! Beloved, we are free! Yes, we are free from sin; we are not free to live in sin. We are free to live without its dominance and control. The period of enslavement is over. Christ Jesus is the great Emancipator! Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty I am free at last!

The Hope of Freedom

Freedom! What a wonderful word to us. We all value freedom highly. We delight in being free. We long to live in freedom always.

One of the most powerful and recurring themes in the New Testament is that Christians are free in Christ Jesus. This was especially good news to the Christians who first received this teaching from the apostles since many of the first believers throughout the Roman Empire were officially classified as slaves. The freedom that the apostles spoke about; however, was not a political freedom but, rather, a spiritual one. They spoke of an inner freedom that allows a person to live above his present circumstances instead of being stretched out under them.(Stanley)

This is a freedom that is no less important in our world today, when many people feel trapped in sinful patterns and destructive behaviors.

·                    Some are stuck in the bondage of addictions and sinful habit patterns.

·                    Some struggle regularly with thoughts of depression and deep dark despair.

·                    Some live daily in abusive relationships longing for positive change and contemplating running away.

·                    And others experience oppressive situations, which have their root in satanic influences. (Stanley)

Scripture clearly states how sin can literally fill a person’s life to the extremes of enslavement, constant control and spiritual bondage. Notice the words of the wise Apostle Paul in Romans 1:29-32,

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: [32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

The phrase “Being filled” refers to the things Paul specifies as common practices among humanity. When this is the case the entire pattern of evil becomes the lifestyle of these enslaved souls. They continually or habitually act out these very things in open defiance of God.  

Yes, “Being filled” is a very strong phrase then; it has the idea of an engrossing process. That is, these rebellious actions are so often practiced that it is safe to say the individuals are full of them. Actually, we still use similar phrases in certain parts of the country. We may say ‘He is ‘full of mischief,’ ‘full of deceit,’ and ‘full of the devil’ etc. Likewise Paul was describing people who were full of these sins, and not merely an occasional dabbling in them. The idea is of one who is trained and controlled by certain sins. They have little or no control over their lives.... Real human beings have been reduced to sin slaves.

Such extreme forms of human rebellion against God fully deserve God’s condemnation and judgment. These words “Being Filled” are the same words used in Eph. 5:18 where the Believer is commanded to “be filled with the Spirit.” These enslaved souls are constantly subject to their lower passions. Is there any hope?

The world system in which we live is not a godly construct, but we each must experience the freedom that Christ offers to us so that we can live in this world, yet not be “of” this world. Christ prayed earnestly that we Believers would not become enslaved and influenced by the evil present in the world system that we all are familiar with. Read carefully His prayer in John 17:14-17,

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  

Our Lord’s desire for us Believers is to be free of worldliness and the evils of our time. He cried out to His Father for our sanctification. He wants a people who are “set apart” unto God’s plan, purpose, and pleasure. It is the “truth” that is to sanctify and make us free of sin's dominance! The more sanctified unto God we are the more liberty and freedom from sin's enslavement we will experience. The more we embrace and live by the truth, the more God's brand of freedom is reigning in our lives.

Consider carefully this insightful statement by Bible teacher Max Anders, 

... Sin is bad because it destroys the sinner. All sin boomerangs and strikes a lethal blow to the very one who throws it. In Proverbs 14:1 we read, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” She does not pull it down purposely; she does not want to pull down the house. But she insists on her foolishness, and the house collapses as a consequence. Sin boomerangs.
Again, in Proverbs we read, “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” (Prov. 6:32). The person does not want to destroy his own soul. He just wants to commit adultery. But with the adultery comes the destruction of his soul. Sin boomerangs.
The adulterer destroys his home, the homosexual contracts AIDS, the thief is arrested, the angry person loses his job, the lazy person cannot make ends meet, the materialistic person files bankruptcy, the hypocritical person loses the respect of his children, the alcoholic dies of liver disease, and on and on it goes. Sin boomerangs. Sin damages and eventually destroys the sinner.

To any person who feels as if he or she is in the clutches of something negative or evil, God extends to you words of hope and freedom, “God wants to set you free!” Notice again Paul’s words in Romans 6:18, where he says, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Then look at Romans 6:22, which says, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Did you notice the statement “free from sin” in both verses? That is correct; genuine Believers are free from sin’s control!

The basis of our freedom is of course our union and identification with Jesus Christ. Because Christ is free, we likewise are free in Him. Just as the Lord Jesus has no obligations to sin, we also are free from sin's penalty and power. Christ broke the power and dominance of sin for every Believer through His death and resurrection. Since we are united to Him we enjoy His freedom and power. Each of us Believers must consciously appropriate this spiritual reality to ourselves. We must count on this truth to personally experience freedom. It is vital that we deposit this valuable truth in our spiritual bank account. Standing on this promise will definitely enrich our experience of spiritual freedom. Beloved, this is the holy liberty every child of God needs to become well acquainted with for daily life. Yes, the hope of freedom is yours. Seize it today! Throw off the shackles of enslavement, and embrace the power of freedom in Christ Jesus!

Indescribable Joy!

1Peter 1:6-12

Subject: Joy in Salvation

Theme:  the magnificent truths of our salvation give us reason to greatly rejoice.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:6-12, KJV)

Introduction:

Though spiritual joy seems elusive, it can be known and experienced by the people of God. One key is to focus our attention on the Lord and the great salvation He has wrought on our behalf. Yes, the truth that we are saved through such magnificent expressions of God’s infinite grace is solid reason to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory!

You see, Beloved, we can rejoice in the truth that God chose us (1:2), the Spirit sanctified us, and Jesus shed His precious blood for us (1:2). We can rejoice in the fact that we have been born again unto a living HOPE secure for us through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus (1:3). Even more so we can rejoice in the incredible inheritance God has stored up and reserved in Heaven for us (1:4). Lastly, but not least, we can rejoice in the security God affords us as saved individuals. He keeps us by His awesome mighty everlasting “power” unto the complete promise of salvation (glorification) is realized (1:5)! “Wherein” we greatly rejoice!

Yes, we are encouraged to act on this wonderful insight; to govern ourselves in full accordance with what God has stated. Beloved, put this knowledge into practice…rejoice! Our response to the tremendous theological truths taught so far should be that of greatly rejoicing.  Note the insight of Walvoord, a recognized Bible teacher,

Knowledge alone cannot produce the great joy of experiential security and freedom from fear in the face of persecution. God’s omnipotent sovereignty needs to be coupled with human responsibility. Christians are responsible to respond in faith. Faith turns sound doctrine into sound practice. Faith acts on the content of theology and produces conduct that corresponds to that content. Faith makes theological security experiential. The Apostle John wrote, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). This kind of faith or living hope can enable believers to rejoice even when they are called on to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Beloved, it is time to get your praise on and greatly rejoice! While it is good to know this stuff intellectually, it is time to mingle some faith with that knowledge and praise God in light of the awesome salvation and hope we have in Jesus Christ!

Furthermore, God’s people are to rejoice in the “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1:5). While can rejoice in what the Lord has already done for us, here we are challenged to rejoice in what He will do in the future. The “the last time,” (1:5) refers to when we receive our glorified bodies at the Rapture. “Rejoice” here is pointing to extreme joy expressing itself externally in an exuberant triumphant articulation of joy. Beloved, this is a glorified joy made possible by our future glorified state, a joy not possible now in our mortal bodies. We would likely hurt something if we tried to fully express this boundless joy in our present state!

It was Kenneth Wuest, a noted theologian of yesteryear who said, “Tears of joy are just an evidence of the inability of our present state to fully feel the joy that comes to us at times. But then in our bodies of glory we will be able to drink in and appreciate all the boundless joys of the Saviour’s presence.” 

Beloved, this extraordinary salvation we have in Christ Jesus gives us many reasons to rejoice. This potent joy will strengthen us through the hard times we must face in this life. Notice two wonderful facts about our Joy in Salvation (1:6-12).

Message:

I.                  We Can Rejoice In Spite of the Pressures (1Pet. 1:6-9).

A.     We Still Have Seasons of Heaviness because of Many Trials (6).

                                                1.      Trials are Seasonal.

i.         “Season” (1:6) means “little, small, few,” and refers to a little while. Surely, this present life is a little while compared to eternity.

ii.       The fact is our loving Lord God sees to it that in the midst of the shadows and heartaches and trials, we His children will have our days of sunshine even in this life.

iii.      Beloved, though we will suffer and are often grieved, it is still only for a little while compared to the glorious eternity awaiting us (1:6). Beloved, I submit to you, that you can rejoice in this. Trials cannot last forever, but our salvation will!

                                                2.      Trials are Necessary. The words “if need be” are hypothetical, not affirmative. That is, they do not state that there is always a need for the dark days, for testing times and difficulties.

i.         In some lives there seems to be more need of trials than in others. To those servants of God whom He purposes to use in a larger, greater way, many trials are allowed to come, for “we must be ground between the millstones of suffering before we can be bread for the multitude.”

ii.       And then, in the case of a saint who is not living close to his Lord, it is necessary to send disciplinary trials to purge his life of sin and draw him into a closer walk with God.

                                                3.      Trials are Grieving.

i.         The words “ye are in heaviness” (1:6) mean “we have been made sorrowful.” Just because our pain is real does not cancel the reality of or the source of our joy. It is wrong to expect to be happy all the time…free of any pains. It is correct to grieve when the occasion requires tears; however, we never grieve as those with no real hope. We do not despair because the Lord has given us reason to hope beyond our tears.

ii.       The idea of a “temptations” (1:6) refers to both temptations and testings. Yes, even solicitations to do evil, can test our character. The trials may come from God or under His permissive will from Satan. They may be the result of our own wrong doing as well. The solicitations to do evil come from the world, the evil nature, or Satan.

iii.      WHY ME?

The problem has vexed philosophers since they first asked questions: Why does an all-powerful, good God permit suffering? To which most people add: “And if someone has to suffer, why me?” Instead of answering these questions on the philosophical level, Christians face suffering by adopting a new set of responses:

a.       Confidence that God knows, plans, and directs our lives for the good. It's hard to calculate sometimes, but God always provides his love and strength for us. God leads us toward a better future.

b.       Perseverance when facing grief, anger, sorrow, and pain. Christians believe in expressing grief, but we should never give in to bitterness and despair.

c.       Courage because with Jesus as Brother and Savior, we need not be afraid. He who suffered for us will not abandon us. Jesus carries us through everything.

iv.     Instead of asking, “Why me?” respond to your trials with confidence, perseverance, and courage. (Source Unknown)

v.       No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.—William Penn

                                                4.       Trials are Multifaceted.

i.         Such trials are described as “manifold,” (1:6) that is they are variegated. This emphasizes the diversity rather than the number of the trials.

ii.       James mentioning “divers temptations” (Js. 1:2) is the same thought as “manifold temptations” (1Pet. 1:6). 

iii.      The trials may be relational, interpersonal, financial, occupational, educational, physical, spiritual, medical, social, or emotional. The list seems endless, but a tried and proven faith is more precious than gold.

B.     But, We Still Have A Living Hope That Results In A Present Joy (6-7).

                                                1.      Peter Emphasized How Christian Joy Is Uninfluenced By Circumstances.

i.         The trials themselves are seen as occasions for joy (Js. 1:2). Though trials may cause temporary grief, they cannot diminish that deep, abiding joy which is rooted in one’s living hope in Christ Jesus.

ii.      Peter pointed out that grief and joy can be simultaneous in the Christian life. Grief is the natural response to the difficulties in this fallen world, but faith looks forward to an eternity with God and rejoices. –The Life Application Commentary Series

                                                2.      Peter Emphasized that We Still Have Reason to Hope in Christ.

i.         According to 1 Peter 1:5 and 9, our inheritance is described as “salvation ready to be revealed.” Clearly we are already saved through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8–9), but the completion of our salvation (glorification) awaits the return of the Lord Jesus for us in the Rapture. Through our Lord’s mighty rapturing power, we will receive new bodies and enter into a new environment, the heavenly city. Certainly, we can rejoice about finally seeing and being with our Lord! Surely we can rejoice in acquiring a new glorious body that is free of flaws and sin! Who can imagine the joy we will know as our minds, souls, and innermost being is completely loosed from sins power and influence! How wonderful it will be to become pure…entirely pure!

ii.         In 1 Peter 1:7, Peter called this hope “the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Paul called this “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).  What a thrilling thing it is to know that we were born for glory! When we were born again, we exchanged the passing glory of man for the eternal glory of God! –Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary

iii.      This article will continue with the next post referenced to 1 Peter 1:6-12.

Is The Spirit a Force or a Person?

Unfortunately there is some confusion about who and what the Holy Spirit is. People sometimes refer to Him as a “thing” that you can get…. I have heard people ask others, “Have you got it yet?” referring to receiving the Holy Spirit. Likewise others boldly claim, “I got it!” believing they have received a certain blessing from God connected with the Holy Spirit.

Without being harsh, I wish to say the Holy Spirit, The Holy Ghost, The Spirit of the Lord, The Comforter, and the Spirit of God is NOT a “thing,” “force,” “influence,” or “it.” He is a Person just like the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I intend to demonstrate this from the Scriptures throughout this article. So if you hold the Word of God in high regards, then you will appreciate the wonderful truth that the Holy Spirit is an awesome divine Person.

Why Believe the Holy Spirit Is a Person?

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. (John 16:12-16)

The Scriptures reveal the Holy Spirit as a person, with all the characteristics of a living, personal being. Thus He is not a force or a mere moving, but a divine Person!

The Lord Jesus clearly portrays the Holy Spirit as a Person through the titles, ministries, activities, and pronouns He used. Christ taught the Spirit would continue His ministry in the life of the apostles after His ascension (John 14:16, 26).

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (Jn. 14:16)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Jn. 14:26)

The Holy Spirit is Not an Influence or Force 

One of the keys to our understanding about the Holy Spirit lies in our recognition that the Holy Spirit is not an “it”; He is a person.  Have you ever been asked, “Do you have the Holy Spirit? Do you have it?” Perhaps the following explanation will shed some light on why some believers have made this mistake:

The acts and workings of the Holy Spirit are so secret and mystical, so much is said of His influence, graces, power and gifts, that we are prone to think of Him as an influence, a power, a manifestation or influence of the divine nature, an agent rather than a Person. –Evans: The Great Doctrines of the Bible                                       

Some People confuse the Holy Spirit with a force, a power, an event, an experience, or a manifestation.  I also made this mistake early on in my Christian experience.  When I was younger in the Lord and before preparing for the ministry, I can recall referring to the Holy Spirit as “It”.    Through careful Bible study I soon discovered that the Holy Spirit is not an “it” in the purest since, but a “He” —a person, a member of the Trinity. Like the Father and the Son are divine Persons, so is the Spirit.

Resultantly, my entire perspective changed. When I begin to see the Holy Spirit as a person —not as a power, mere influence, impersonal force, a “moving” or an experience —I developed a far different perspective on the Holy Spirit’s ministry in my own life.

Before Jesus’ passion, he promised that the Father and He would send his disciples “another Comforter” (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). The Comforter or Paraclete… (meaning one who gives support), is a helper, adviser, strengthener, encourager, ally, and advocate. “Another” points to the fact that Jesus was the first Paraclete/Comforter and is promising a replacement who, after he is gone, will carry on the teaching and testimony that Jesus started (John 16:6-7).

Paraclete ministry, by its very nature, is personal, relational ministry, implying the full personhood of the one who fulfills it. –Packer, J. I.: Concise Theology [Modified]

The Holy Spirit is Far More Than His Manifestations  

Are there other reasons for this false understanding of the Holy Spirit as an “It”? In many cases, a misunderstanding of Acts 2 where we read about the filling of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the first Christians and the first church:

Acts 2:1-4, And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

People tend to confuse the sights and sounds present at the Holy Spirit’s filling of the early church. They read of a rushing wind-like sound from heaven. They read of a mass of fire that seems to divide into tongues that touch each person. They read of the people speaking in languages (tongues) they didn’t previously learn through study. And they assume that the sound, the fire, and the unknown tongues are the Holy Spirit.

These are merely manifestations of the Spirit’s coming to empower the church on the day of Pentecost shortly after Jesus’ ascension. They are not the Holy Spirit Himself. The sound is as of a rushing mighty wind. The glowing light seems like as divided tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit is infinitely more than any single manifestation of His presence.

Unfortunately many people see the Triune God, as a He, a He, and an It.

I suspect another reason is that the King James Bible actually uses “it” in reference to the Spirit (Rom. 8:16, 26). God is a masculine word in the original language of the Bible, Jesus is a masculine word, but Spirit is a neuter word, a concept rather foreign to English. The word “Spirit” is literally “breath” or “wind,” though it was also translated “spirit” or “ghost” in a. d. 1611 when the King James Bible was translated. Sometime these serve as symbols of the Spirit (John 3:8). As a result, occasionally the King James Version refers to the Holy Spirit as “it.”

This, plus general theological uncertainty about the Holy Spirit, has caused some to be confused as to whether He is a real person. He is, of course, and many places in the KJV Bible refer to Him with a masculine pronoun as “Him or “He” rather than “It,” helping to dispel the impression that the Spirit is merely a force.

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. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (Jn. 16:7, 8)
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (Jn. 16:13-15)

Notice in John 16:7, 8, 13–15, that twelve times in these verses

…the Greek masculine pronoun ekeinos (that one, He) is used of the Spirit. This is especially remarkable because the Greek word for spirit (pneuma) is neuter, and so should have a neuter pronoun; yet, contrary to ordinary usage, a masculine pronoun is here used. This is not a pictorial personification, but a plain, definite, clear-cut statement asserting the personality of the Holy Spirit.—Evans: The Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Holy Spirit Has the Characteristics of Personality 

One key reason why we believe in the “personality” of the Holy Spirit is that He has the characteristics of a person. He has intellect, emotion, and will.

Human Personality exists where there is intelligence, mind, will, reason, individuality, self-consciousness, and self-determination. It is more than mere consciousness—because animals have that—but self-consciousness. Personality is more than determination—because animals have this, also, even though this determination is the result of external influences—but self-determination, the power by which man by his own free will determines his actions from within.

Divine Personality is reflected in human personhood—it is part of what it means to be created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28).  We are persons because God is three distinct Personalities.

Pantheism wrongly holds that this universe is God; thus all, everything is God, and God is everything; God is all, all is God. Accordingly God is identified with nature and not held to be independent of and separate from it. God is, therefore, a necessary but an unconscious force working in the world. 

But this concept of God is not taught anywhere in the Bible.  No, God is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe; it exists as an act of His intelligence, and will. The creation of the universe and man proves the personality of the Creator—God (Gen. 1:1, 26; John 1:1-3  Col. 1:15-17; Psa. 104:27-30; 75:6, 7).

The three foremost qualities of personhood are these:

a. Knowledge—an ability to know, understand, recognize, and have meaning.

b. Will—an ability to make choices and decisions on the basis of what one chooses to do, not as an instinctual response to external stimuli.

c. Emotion—an ability to feel, both to have and express feelings and to be aware of them.

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person like the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let’s take a look at Scriptures that reveal these qualities associated with the Holy Spirit. An example of His “intellect” is found in 1 Corinthians 2:10–11, where the Spirit is said to know the things of God. 1 Cor. 2:11, For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit is presented as searching the deepest and profoundest truths of God, and possessing knowledge of His counsels sufficiently to understand His purposes. Could a mere influence do this?

The statement “the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” means that only the Spirit can reveal to believers God’s profound nature and wonderful plan, especially that formerly hidden mystery that is now revealed—salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection. That the Spirit “searcheth” these things means that he penetrates and is part of all the “deep things” of God (see 2:11).—The Life Application Commentary Series

Therefore, as diligently as the brightest among us may struggle to know the deep things of God, we still must admit that if the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God (the Father), He must have intellect (Ro. 8:26-27). The Spirit is capable of knowledge, cognition, reason, and thought. Gravity or centrifugal force do not think or meditate, but the Holy Spirit is a thinker!

An example of Him expressing “emotions” is found in Romans 15:30, where we read about “and for the love of the Spirit,” and in Ephesians 4:30, we read Paul’s words admonishing, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.”

We cannot grieve someone who does not love us. Because the Holy Spirit has an emotional capacity, we can grieve Him. Yes, the Holy Spirit has emotions. You cannot grieve an impersonal force. The wind or fire has no feelings, but the Spirit does!

To grieve someone is to cause them to suffer; to make them feel sorrow.

The utterance of evil or worthless words is repugnant to the holiness of the Spirit, and is to be refrained from as calculated to grieve Him. The injunction is made more solemn by the designation as ‘the Holy Spirit’ and ‘the Spirit of God.’ The Spirit is here seen as capable of feeling, and so as personal. In Isaiah 63:10 we have a similar idea, following the statement that Jehovah was afflicted in all His people’s afflictions. –Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament

The fact that He can be grieved shows that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a mere influence. It also means He loves us, because only a person who loves can be grieved. The favorite ministry of God’s Spirit is to glorify Christ and to change the believer into His likeness (2 Cor. 3:18). When a Christian sins, He has to turn from this ministry to one of restoration. It grieves Him to see the believer’s spiritual progress interrupted by sin. He must then lead the Christian to the place of repentance and confession of sin. –MacDonald: Believer's Bible Commentary

Finally, an example of His “will” is found in 1 Corinthians 12:11, where we read that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts “as He wills.”

1 Cor. 12:11, But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (Ac. 13:2; 15:28)

Spiritual gifts are distributed to believers according to the will of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12). Here is wisdom, prudence and discretion, all of which are distinguishing marks of personality. The Spirit not only bestows spiritual gifts, but bestows them discreetly according as He thinks best. See John 3:8 also. –Evans: The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Animals function by means of instincts, but human beings function by means of free will. We can decide or determine what course of action we will take. Arguing to the greater, the same is true of the Spirit of God.  He makes decisions and exercises the power of a definite will. When it comes to spiritual gifts, He distributes them according to His will and not the appeals of believers. He decides who will receive what gifts based on His plan and not our desires or requests. Beloved, the Spirit is exercising volition in such instances!

The importance of the personality of the Spirit and of our being assured of this fact is forcibly set forth by Dr. R. A. Torrey: “If the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and we know it not, we are robbing a Divine Being of the love and adoration which are His due. It is of the highest practical importance whether the Holy Spirit is a power that we, in our ignorance and weakness, are somehow to get hold of and use, or whether the Holy Spirit is a personal Being … who is to get hold of us and use us. It is of the highest experimental importance.… Many can testify to the blessing that came into their lives when they came to know the Holy Spirit, not merely as a gracious influence … but as an ever-present, loving friend and helper.” –Evans: The Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Holy Spirit Conducts Himself Like a Person

This is in addition to His possessing the characteristics of personhood—intellect, emotion, and will. The Holy Spirit can do things that only a person would do (Jn. 14:17, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15).

John 14:16, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (In this statement we see the Holy Spirit assisting, helping, residing, and staying with Believers forever).

John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (According to the words of our Lord Jesus, the Spirit is representing Him, teaching much like Jesus taught, and reminding disciples of Christ’s teachings or directives).

John 15:26, But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:8, And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (In these two passages, it can clearly be seen that the Spirit is testifying of Jesus, reproving the world, and deeply convicting sinners of sinfulness).

Take another look at the Spirit’s behavior; He is helping, comforting, teaching, calling to remembrance, testifying, convicting—these are all actions of a person. In this case they describe some of the conduct of the holy Person of the Spirit of God.

Yes, the Holy Spirit teaches us, He prays for us, He performs miracles, He comforts us and guides us. These are things a person, not an impersonal force, would do.

Again, though the word spirit is neuter in the original language of the Bible, sometimes when a pronoun is employed to refer to the Holy Spirit, the pronoun He is used (John 16:13–14) instead of the expected It. This was no mistake on the part of the writers of the Bible. It was a deliberate reference to the Holy Spirit as a person.

The Holy Spirit conducts Himself like a Person, therefore we must conclude that He is indeed a person and not a mere force or power.  He as a person exercises power! He exerts an influence, but He is a Divine Person. Remember, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, and flies like a duck…it is safe to conclude, based on the evidence, that it is indeed a duck!

The Holy Spirit Has the Names and Titles of Personality

The Comforter: John 14:16; 16:7.  “Comforter” means one who is called to your side—as a client calls a lawyer. That this name cannot be used of any abstract, impersonal influence is clear from the fact that in 1 John 2:1 the same word is used of Christ (see Rom. 8:26).

Again in John 14:16 the Holy Spirit, as the Paraclete, is to take the place of a person—Christ Himself, and to personally guide the disciples just as Jesus had been doing. No one but a person can take the place of a person; certainly no mere influence could take the place of Jesus Christ, the greatest personality that ever lived.

Again, Christ, in speaking of the Spirit as the Comforter, uses the masculine definite article, and thus, by His choice of gender, teaches the personality of the Holy Spirit. There can be no parity [correspondence] between a person and an influence. –Evans: The Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Personality of God has immeasurable significance to the Christian Faith.  Consider this explanation from William Evans,

True religion may be defined as the communion between two persons: God and man. Religion is a personal relationship between God in heaven, and man on the earth. If God were not a person there could be no communion; if both God and man were one there could be no communion, and, consequently, no religion. An independent personal relationship on both sides is absolutely necessary to communion. Man can have no communion with an influence, a force, an impersonal something; nor can an influence have any moving or affection towards man. It is absolutely necessary to the true definition of religion that both God and man be persons. God is person, not force or influence.—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Today, those who do not believe the Holy Spirit is a person usually believe that He is merely a force emanating from God the Father. This position can be held only by mentally ripping some verses out of the Bible, pretending they are not there. A high view of all of Scriptures will lead a person unfailingly to the conclusion that the Holy Spirit is a Person. If we believe the Word of God above the teachings of mere men, then we must regard the Holy Spirit as a Person--A divine Person! He is God, the Spirit and not God the force! A force may be good enough for Star Wars, but it will not suffices as an appropriate address to the Most High God. God requires that we worship Him in spirit and in truth. He will not receive worship that completely ignores who and what He actually is. In addition, no human being would appreciate being addressed as "hey dog," "hey you, chicken," or "look here mule"! We would be insulted by such misrepresentations of our humanity! Likewise, it is an afront to the Lord God to refer to one Member of the Godhead as an it, a thing, a force, or an influence. He is infinitely more than what He does or the impact He has. God deserves to be honored, worshiped, and adored for who and what He actually is. Perhaps some regard Him as an influence because they are looking for something to use.... Too many want to use the Holy Spirit to make themselves appear more spiritual or more spiritually accomplished than others. This is nothing but ugly pride and it is condemned by the Lord of glory. One can use a force or influence to their advantage, but one cannot use the Person of God the Spirit in any fashion! No, God requires adherence to His will and He will not merely do our will! He is God and we are mere sinners saved by His infinite grace. It is time for all genuine Believers in Christ Jesus to recognize the true and living God for what and who He truly is. As we do so, regard the Holy Spirit as a Person.