Table of Contents
The truth
We often focus a lot on the truth, on our doctrines, and rightly so. The doctrines are beautiful, especially if taught correctly, centered on Christ. God does not, however, want us to merely assent to the truth. Jesus himself is the truth so if we love the truth we love Jesus and wish to walk with Him. He gave us a commission in Mat 28:19. In some translations it is rendered teach all nations. Perhaps an even better translation is make disciples of all nations. God wants his people to be disciples, to walk with Him, like the twelve disciples. For three and a half years they walked with Jesus, and what was the result? They turned the world upside down. Enoch had a similar experience. He walked with God. He was so close to God that he was translated without seeing death, just like the final generation.
Distractions
In this sinful world there are many things to draw us away from our relationship with Jesus. Pornography is ubiquitous, and though we don’t usually want to talk about it watching porn is commonplace even in the church. Not only among church members but also among the pastors. Also movies and tv shows are becoming more sexualized, and more violent, and by beholding we are changed into the same image, 2Cor 3:18. If we behold Christ we are changed into His image. If we behold the world we are changed into its image. Now many will say “what’s the big deal though to glance at some porn every now and then, or to watch some worldly movies and TV shows? If the mind is full of porn, and Game of Thrones, and other satanic idols and addictions, then the Holy Spirit can not fill us the way He wants to, and missing out on this is really missing out. If you have never experienced this it may be hard to understand what you are missing.
The Baptism of the Spirit
I believe, unfortunately, there are many Adventists that have never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I believe many Adventists do not even know what this means.Let me give a little analogy. If you have a full soda glass and you try to pour water into it, it won’t work very well. There is no room for it. God wants us to empty ourselves of self and selfishness, and totally surrender to Him, so that He can fill us with His Spirit. God is eager to give us the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? “ Luk 11:13.
Jesus knocks on the heart’s door with tears in His eyes, saying; “I was there this morning, before you went about your business, but you didn’t show up. I wanted to spend time with you. I spread manna from heaven before you for a sweet taste on your tongue, to strengthen you before your challenging day, and to build you up as my holy temple. There was no one to gather it up or eat it.” May we open the door of the heart, and empty the glass, so God can fill us with His Spirit. That we may experience what it feels like to be fully alive. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Ps 34:8. And don’t get me wrong, this does not mean constant bliss. It does mean that you have peace with God, and you can know that no matter what comes your way, He will go with you through it. It doesn’t mean you will never be tempted, but you have access to power to be victorious. You are always carrying a high voltage outlet with you, and at any time you are plugged into it.
