"Some people, like me, are born idiots, but many more become stupider as they go along!" ----Forrest Gump
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth."---John 16:13
Pentecost Sunday is the day in the Christian calendar when the Church the world over celebrates God's gift of His Holy Spirit to His people. Most Christians are familiar with the story from Acts 2 ---- the Spirit's appearance with sounds of rushing wind, the sights of "tongues of fire," and the miraculous communication of the message of Christ. It was quite an event and a blessing that remains in the Church to this day. Every Christian is an heir to that heavenly Presence and divine Endowment!
However many people fail to appreciate one of the greatest legacies of that wonderful day. By focusing on the more spectacular aspects of the Third Member of the Trinity, some of us forget the most profound results of His work in our lives. The Holy Spirit, according to Christ, was given to guide believers into all truth.
No commodity today is in shorter supply! We have all kinds of "almost truth" available to us. People run their lives with "truth by my standard" and "truth according to everyone else." Others conform their behavior to "truth according to the latest fad." Doctrines and beliefs have been bent repeatedly to satisfy "truth according to the current thinking of experts." There's "how I feel truth" and "my truth versus your truth." Why, a large number of people wouldn't know "real truth" if they saw it!
That's why we MUST have the Holy Spirit! His ministry of revealing truth enables us to live genuinely in a world of illusion. He speaks to us completely and honestly convicting us of our sins (John 16:8), pointing the way to Christ (John 15:26), indwelling believers (1 John 3:24), confirming our adoption as Children of God (Galatians 4:6), empowering believers for Christian service (Acts 1:8), making believers competent for service (2 Corinthians 3:6), and insuring life to all believers (Romans 8:11). He is characterized by truth because He proceeds from the Author of Absolute Truth!
As you live this week, pay attention to the messages of truth from God's Holy Spirit. Like Forrest Gump said, some people DO become more stupid as they go along! You won't--- if you listen to and heed the Spirit's advice and truth!
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