Today’s Scripture: John 19:30, NKJV- “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
We do not give up easily, do we? Even when stating with our mouths we are giving our spirits up to God we attempt to take them back. Although not physical death, former habits of our natures do not easily die.
When Jesus died for our sins, He said “it is finished.” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. We find it hard to give up our spirit, don’t we? We know the promises and we have been assured of our forgiveness, yet we just will not let go. We struggle to just relinquish our spirits and say, “it is finished.”
John Baker, the founder of Celebrate Recovery, wrote in Lesson 17- the Forgiveness lesson, that “I think we all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it.” Yes, it is tough to accept or give forgiveness. We must “let go.” Lesson 17 also takes us to Romans 3 where Paul tells us that our unbelief does not affect God’s faithfulness.
We can let go of our spirits, when we breath it out, John 20:22 assures us that Jesus breaths in the Holy Spirit to fill us. When we give up our spirits for the Spirit of God, it is important we make the time and effort to properly welcome and nurture God’s Spirit. We welcome, seek, and learn to recognize this presence.
Immediately in my recovery, my sponsor led me to Matthew 12:43-45. When we give up our impure spirits, it is imperative that we fill this void with God’s Spirit, words, and works. If we simply give up our impure spirits and attempt to sweep them out without filling this void, the impure spirit will return, finding this space clean and vacant and bring seven more spirits more wicked than themselves and we are worse off than before. We have all seen people whose relapses are much worse if they let the evil spirits return.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, armed with God’s Words, and busy with the work God gives us through the crucifixion of our old spirits we are so much better and stronger. Filled and fulfilled with new purposes and passions that are in line with the kingdom of God. This is not an empty life, but one filled with meaning that benefits others.
Living with and from the Holy Spirit gives life to our gifts. We begin to recognize gifts of the Spirit we did not even know were possible previously. In 1 Peter 4:10 we are promised that “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (NLT) Filled and busy with the Holy Spirit allows us to serve each other.
We begin to recognize and experience the part of the body of Christ God intends for each of us. As promised In Romans 12:2 we are becoming transformed. Through the Spirit of God, we become “able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV) As we resist our old selves and live in faith of what God is doing, we come to recognize and know the part of the body we are.
Clinging to what is good, referred to in Romans 12:9-11, we become devoted to one another in love. Being diligent and fervent in the Spirit, we begin serving the Lord and all other people. We become filled with joy, hope, and prayers that equip us to help others who are in need. We begin to live in harmony with others so they too may seek to know this Spirit of God. God is teaching us to help ourselves and this world overcome evil with good. Only with the power and filling of God’s Spirit is this possible. When we are finished with our old temperaments and welcome the temperament and love of God’s Spirit, we are beginning to be a part of making this world a better place.
Are you finished with your old life and letting go of your old spirit? Be filled and active.
Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, unto You I am giving up my spirit for Your Holy Spirit. Fill me LORD. Use me LORD for Your purposes and Your body. Open our spirits to serve all others. Strengthen us to serve You and Yours. Fill us LORD with joy, hope, and purpose. Please write Your Words on the tablets of our hearts and have Your Spirit remind us of everything Jesus taught us. In Your Spirit LORD we live life to the full. Amen.
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