Bible League: Living His Word . . . the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.Who is "the one who is in you" in our verse for today? As the context of our verse makes clear, it is the Holy Spirit, also referred to in the Bible as the "Spirit of Christ Jesus" and the "Spirit of God." In virtue of our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we have received the Holy Spirit and He is now an indwelling presence within us. The Holy Spirit is the "Helper" that Jesus promised to send His disciples after His death and departure to heaven (John 16:7). As a result, Christians have a supernatural source of strength and help that comes from heaven above. Who is "the one who is in the world?" It is Satan, also referred to in the Bible as the "ruler" or "prince" of this world (John 12:31). He is the spirit of the antichrist and every false prophet who spread lies about Jesus Christ and the way of salvation. Indeed, the Apostle John refers to him as the "father of lies" (John 8:44) and he refers to those he inspires as the "devils children" (I John 3:10). Instead of being a helper that lifts people up, he is the "Destroyer" (Revelation 9:11) that brings them down to ultimate devastation and destruction. Although Satan and his demonic henchmen are a powerful supernatural force working in the lives of his children, the Holy Spirit that is in us is greater than him. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, one with God the Father and with Jesus the Son. Satan's angelic power, in contrast, is that of a mere creature. Powerful though it may be, it is no match for the divine power of the Spirit. What is the practical significance of being indwelt by the one who is greater than the one who is in the world? It means many things, but first and foremost it means that we have defeated Satan's false prophets (I John 4:4). It means that we cannot be deceived by them (I John 2:26-27). They come with the lies taught to them by their father, but the greater one within us always helps us to see them for what they are. Today, consider the value of this. When it comes to the most important thing you could ever know, Jesus and the way of salvation, the greater one keeps you from being deceived. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 53, 54, 55 Isaiah 53 -- The Suffering Servant: by his stripes we are healed NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 54 -- Future Glory of Zion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 55 -- Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Thessalonians 2 1 Thessalonians 2 -- Paul's Ministry and Longing to See the Thessalonians NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Is there a conflict, then, between God's law and God's promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God's promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.Insight Before faith in Christ delivered us, we were imprisoned by sin, beaten down by past mistakes, and choked by desires that we knew were wrong. God knew we were sin's prisoners, but he provided a way of escape—faith in Jesus Christ Challenge Without Christ, everyone is held in sin's grasp, and only those who place their faith in Christ ever get out of it. Look to Christ—he is reaching out to set you free. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Philippians 3:8 I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.Spiritual knowledge of Christ will be a personal knowledge. I cannot know Jesus through another person's acquaintance with him. No, I must know him myself; I must know him on my own account. It will be an intelligent knowledge--I must know him, not as the visionary dreams of him, but as the Word reveals him. I must know his natures, divine and human. I must know his offices--his attributes--his works--his shame--his glory. I must meditate upon him until I "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." It will be an affectionate knowledge of him; indeed, if I know him at all, I must love him. An ounce of heart knowledge is worth a ton of head learning. Our knowledge of him will be a satisfying knowledge. When I know my Saviour, my mind will be full to the brim--I shall feel that I have that which my spirit panted after. "This is that bread whereof if a man eat he shall never hunger." At the same time it will be an exciting knowledge; the more I know of my Beloved, the more I shall want to know. The higher I climb the loftier will be the summits which invite my eager footsteps. I shall want the more as I get the more. Like the miser's treasure, my gold will make me covet more. To conclude; this knowledge of Christ Jesus will be a most happy one; in fact, so elevating, that sometimes it will completely bear me up above all trials, and doubts, and sorrows; and it will, while I enjoy it, make me something more than "Man that is born of woman, who is of few days, and full of trouble;" for it will fling about me the immortality of the ever living Saviour, and gird me with the golden girdle of his eternal joy. Come, my soul, sit at Jesus's feet and learn of him all this day. Daily Light on the Daily Path Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.Isaiah 53:10,11 But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. • As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Luke 24:26 "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" 2 Corinthians 5:14,15 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; • and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified." 1 Peter 1:20,21 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you • who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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