“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
What advantage has the death, resurrection and ascension brought to this world, and in particular, the church? Has anything changed since Jesus rose from the dead and sat down at the right hand of God?
Through the ascension of Christ, the work that began in a small backwater outside Galilee has now gone global. Through the power of the Spirit who has been poured out, the Disciples have turned the world upside down.
The is the meat and potatoes of our faith. It is the word that keeps us believing and speaking.
Jesus mentions at least six things that His Ascent and the consequent Descend of His Spirit will accomplish:
1. It will bring the world to its feet in conviction of sin, the righteousness which overcomes it (a righteousness from God, not man) and the judgement that will fall on those who reject it.
2. It will open blind eyes to see and comprehend the meaning of the Cross and the truth of Christ’s words.
3. It will mean the permanent presence of Christ in our lives as the means of sustaining joy.
4. It will reveal the Fathers love by ensuring permanent provision to His children in all things necessary to sustain our faith.
5. It will ensure peace in tribulation and trials.
6. It will be the means by which Jesus, through the Church, will reveal Himself as this worlds conqueror.
Now, with all of that in mind, has Jesus Christ forgotten to provide anything you may need to live a life wholly turned over to Him? Is there anything of which it can be said, Jesus has not done enough.
Has He left out any guarantee? Any promise? Any provision? Any courage, wisdom or strength? No.
His Spirit is not only the guarantee of provision, transformation, love and victory, His Spirit is also the means by which we conquer our own timidity and doubt.
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
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