Delighting in GodSample

Delight in the Holy Spirit

In John 14:20, Jesus addresses the request of Philip, "Lord, show us the Father." In His response, Jesus gives statements concerning His deity and the interrelationship of the members of the Godhead. He then applies this to what was in store for the disciples and, ultimately, for us. He speaks of a day in which He would depart but would send another Helper, who would be of the very same essence as He. This was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to indwell the disciples. The One who had been with them would now be in them.

At the time of the Spirit's indwelling, the disciples would have a new level of understanding concerning the indwelling relationship of Jesus to the Father, the believer to Jesus, and Jesus to the believer. It is of interest to note that the word "know" goes beyond the theoretical type of knowledge. It involves experience. Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit, as He indwells the believer, will cause him to know and experience the reality of the mutual indwelling of Christ and the Christian. As the child of God abides in Christ, it is the job of the Spirit to form the character of Jesus in Him (John 15:1–11). Being in Christ, His very life flows into him, producing the fruit he is to bear.

Because Jesus dwells in us, all of the resources of His life and power are resident in us and available to be appropriated by faith. This truth can be personalized as Paul did in Galatians 2:20. Essential truths expressed are: I died with Him, my life is no longer mine; He lives in me, and I live now by faith in the One who died for me and rose again.

It should be our daily delight to be reminded that the Lord Jesus Christ, the all-sufficient One, lives in us. He lives in us to be our sufficiency to meet every need.

--Rev. William A. Raws, Director Emeritus, America's KESWICK