He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:14 (NIV).
Way back in the Old Testament, over 400 years before Jesus (and Paul) lived, the prophet Joel prophesied that God would pour His Spirit out over all people. Not just Jews; not just the physical descendants of Abraham, but ALL people. God had told Adam and Eve that He would send a deliverer who would crush the sin they had created. Centuries later, God then made a bonding agreement with Abraham that He would bless every person on the planet through Abraham and his descendants. Centuries later again, Joel echoed that message, reminding people God would share His Spirit with all peoples, all tribes, all families, all nations.
Millenia, now, after Joel, Abraham, and Adam, we receive the Spirit that God still pours out over us. We learn about Him through Jesus, God’s Son, and human person of His trinity. Yet it’s their Spirit who moves in our hearts now, acting out Jesus’ love and the Father’s divine plans through us. When we receive Him and believe in Him, Holy Spirit works through us in ways we can’t do on our own.
We do that so that God’s Spirit might move through us to other people who don’t know Him, who haven’t received Him, who don’t yet believe in Him. When we accept faith that these things are true, we inherit the promise made to Abraham that God will bless all nations, and that all nations will know God as God. Make no mistake: at some time in the future, EVERY knee will bow and acknowledge the truth that God is God and we aren’t; that the Father is Father of us all; that Jesus is the Son of God and is who He says He is; that Holy Spirit is real and true and proceeds from the Father and Son. That day of judgment will be humbling, even as we are already safe.
But make not this mistake either: when we accept the promise of redemption through Abraham’s descendant, Jesus, we also are accepting Jesus’ crucifixion. How we were crucified with Him, having our nature of Adam, and Abraham, nailed to His cross with Him. When we accept faith in Jesus, we are agreeing to take up His cross as our cross and carry it daily, knowing that even when death nails us to it, we will rise through Him. He will grow. He will prosper and spread His redeeming love to others who need it just as much as we do.
For further reading: Joel 2:28, John 20:22, Acts 2:33, Romans 4:9&16, Philippians 2:10-11, Galatians 3:15
Lord Jesus, I accept Your Spirit guiding me and moving in my life. Do Your holy work through me today and always..
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