“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.” 1 John 4.13-16
In this passage we read about the giving nature of God. Too often we think it’s primarily our response to God that matters. But in truth, it’s his generosity to his people.
In v.13, John writes about how we know that we “live in him” and that he “lives in us,” because “He has given us his Spirit.” Consider that for a moment — God gave us a part of himself, his very own Spirit to live with our spirit. He initiates the contact between the divine and humanity by putting his Spirit into “anyone (who) acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,” v.15.
Not only did God give his Spirit but “we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world,” v.14. The second gift of God is his Son. Although God gave his Spirit selectively to his Chosen People throughout the Old Testament, he did so liberally in the New Testament with Jesus. With Jesus comes the ability for all people, who believe in his name, to receive the filling of the Spirit that leads to the mind of Christ, a new creation, and to us being born again.
Our assurance is in the Lord as “we know and rely on the love God has for us,” v.16. He gave us his Spirit and his Son because he loves his creation. We are that creation. And we can have intimacy with God and walk as Jesus walked because we have been given his Spirit as our guide.
A simple illustration would be that of putting oil within your car. If you put tomato soup into the engine of your car, nothing will work. It will fill up every valve, every compartment and every aspect of the engine but to no effect. However, with the appropriate lubricant, oil makes the entire engine function as it should. When the Spirit fills up our hearts and souls, we think, feel, and function in holiness and purity as we have the mind of Christ.
God is a giving us and offers all belief and salvation in Jesus, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It goes without saying that those who do not have the mind of Christ do not believe his Word, the Bible. Those without the Spirit of God put their minds not on Jesus and his truth but on things of this world that can lead all people astray.
Receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit by believing in the Son of God. Allow Jesus to fill you up and renew your heart, mind and soul for the Kingdom of God.
“O Lord God, I praise you. Even in my weakness you are good. Even when I fear, fret and fight against my own sin, you pursue me. You give me more of yourself and help me walk in newness of life. I praise you Lord for your power and love. Thank you for loving me and for helping me be all that you have called me to be. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen