KNOW THE SPIRIT

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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How do I know if I am included in the saving work of Jesus Christ? This is an essential question worthy of much thought and reflection. Too many of us have wrestled with doubt and uncertainty around this most important question. We have allowed the enemy to use our past failures and struggles to whisper doubt in our ears, leading us to real anxiety around our inclusion into the work of Jesus Christ. 

In today’s passage, we are going to hear a definitive answer to this great question. If we will allow the Holy Spirit to speak into our hearts as we encounter the truth of God’s word, we will find and enjoy the security afforded to us through the work of Jesus Christ.  

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 

(1 John 4:13-19 NIV11)

This Is How We Know…

In verse 13 we heard those words that matter most. We can know that we live in Christ and that he lives within us. For those who are struggling to rest in the security of their salvation, listen again to the answer to our most important question:

He has given us of his Spirit.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is the proof that we are included in the gift of salvation as found in the work of Jesus Christ. This fits squarely with all other teachings on this subject found in the pages of the Bible. 

Below are a few important examples that we need to listen to:

From the Lord Jesus:

12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

(John 16:12-15 NIV11)

From the Apostle Paul:

13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

(Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV11)

Evidence

According to all three of these passages, we can have confidence that we are included in the work and person of the Holy Spirit as we see the following signs and markers of the Spirit in our lives:

•   We will embrace and willingly testify to the truth of God’s word. 
•   We will confess Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, the Savior of our souls, and the Lord of our lives. 
•   We will seek to bring God glory with our everyday lives. 
•   We will show signs of real faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 
•   We will rest in the security of our eternal life in Christ. 
•   We will have hope as we look to the day of glory waiting for us in heaven. 
•   We will openly praise God in all circumstances. 

Today 

There are many more markers of the presence of the person of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we face our day today, let us meditate on the work that the Holy Spirit is doing in and through us. 

We can say goodbye to the fear that the enemy sows into our hearts if we will trust in the Lord’s gift of his truth and his Spirit. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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