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September 2011
by John Imler
John is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It's Never Too Late
However, some Christians do just that. They accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and then at some point fail to continue to grow in their Christian life. Although they have the Holy Spirit to assist them in their spiritual growth, they become complacent in following His direction.
Christ said, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). It is important that we understand these words regarding the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. He will first bring Christ’s words to our attention and then cause us to retain them in our hearts and minds.
Our Attention It is important to our spiritual growth that we know what Christ has said. The only way I know that this knowledge can be attained and brought to our attention is by spending time reading His Word. It is here that we learn (are taught) the words of Jesus. It is here we find the meaning of “the way” Jesus spoke of in John 14: 6. He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us obey His commands (John 14:21) and to grow in Him.
Our retention as we grow older, our ability to retain things that we once readily recalled seems to fail us. Yet God has seen fit to give us a Helper in this area. I am constantly amazed to hear stories of those with various stages of dementia who are faithfully witnessing to others as they recall and quote scripture.
God has promised that the Holy Spirit will remind us of His words (everything I have said) to help us as we seek to grow in our knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ gave us His own example of this retention in Matt. 4:1-11.
Are you growing in your Christian life? God has provided you a Helper to assist you in doing so. He is available to all of us who seek to follow Christ’s teachings by teaching us all things and reminding us of what Christ has said.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com[five-star-rating]
The Bible gives several occasions where this question was asked and also several answers. The first answer is given in Luke 3:22 after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
As Jesus was praying,
God spoke from heaven: “You are my Son,whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” God answered the question before it was asked. In Luke 4:22 the people in the synagogue asked, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
The question was asked many times during His brief ministry on earth:
His own disciples were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matt. 8:27).
The crowds in His own hometown asked the question in Matt. 13:53-56.
The high priest asked the question in Matthew 26:63 but did not like Jesus’ answer in verse 64.
Pilate asked the question: “Are you the king of the Jews?” (Matt. 27:11)
But Pliate refused to accept Jesus’ answer, “Yes, it is as you say,” nor did he heed the warnings of his wife in verse 19.
Many Jesus encountered during his short ministry refused to accept that He was the Son of God as was foretold by the prophets and declared by God’s voice from heaven. Nor did they accept Jesus’ own words or the demonstration of who He was by His miracles and amazing wisdom. Jesus asked the question on at least two occasions.
Once of His disciples in Matt.16:16 and once of the Pharisees in Matt. 22:42 when He asked: “What do you think of the Christ” Whose son is he?” The people of his day were so much like many in this 21st century. They were willing to call Him Rabbi, a Prophet, or Teacher—even a Great Teacher. However, they could not bring themselves to recognize Him for who He really was.
Only Peter answering for the other disciples got it right when Jesus asked them, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” I can almost hear Peter shouting with a voice that was filled with enthusiasm: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15, 16).
The same question is still being asked today—asked of you and me. How will you answer the questions: Who is this man?
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.com
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