Even angels long to look into these things.
Today is the third installment of what salvation means. We are exploring this topic because Peter is. He has just pointed out that the prophets were serving you and me when they wrote down the things that we have been told about the gospel. The “things,” he goes on, are of such significance, that “even angels long to look into [them].”
The first thing we noted (and remember, we are speaking in broad terms here!) is that Jesus redeems us from spiritual death. In referring to a “spiritual death” the scriptures point to our separation from God as being dead to God. (Genesis 3: 3; 3: 8-10)
The second thing we talked about was Jesus’ ability to restore us to a relationship with God even though we have eyes that are “opened” to both good and evil. (Genesis 2: 5)
The third aspect of salvation that comes to my mind is the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word in our lives while we are still on earth.
Salvation is a messy business. There was a horrible price to be paid to redeem us from Death. Then there is the challenge that we are still prone to do evil. (Romans 7: 21-25) It is not as if God paid the ransom for our sins and all the consequences of the Original Sin of eating the forbidden fruit are undone. Far from it. As Paul points out in Romans 7 and 8, our eyes that see both “good and evil” are still prone to evil.
Our relationship with God is much different than it might have been. If Adam and Eve had not sinned by disobeying God and eating the forbidden fruit, they would still have eyes only for God’s will and so would you and me. But as it is, we have wandering eyes. Our relationship with God requires conscious effort. To help us in this, Jesus sends his Holy Spirit.
“… the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14: 26)
No wonder the angels are longing to look into these things. They have never seen anything like this! Who else but our loving Father would ever undertake such a project?
Application: Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey. Everything he tells us is for our good.
Food for Thought: How can we know when the Holy Spirit is teaching us?
The bible is written by men “inspired by the Holy Spirit.” God is immutable, unchangeable. The Holy Spirit will never contradict what He has directed men to write.
John 5:39, You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.
Hmmm…
So Ron, you are saying that it helps to read the Bible??? 🙂
I couldn’t agree more! Opening God’s Word is a wonderful way to open our minds to what God wants us to know.
I agree with Ron. The first thing I thought of when I saw your question was: I can know what the Holy Spirit is teaching me because it will be consistent with the Holy Spirit inspired word of God. Peter himself would confirm this in his second letter – 2 Peter 1: 19 – 21.
John 16: 13 – 15 is also pertinent: “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.”
Thank you both for your comments this morning!
I am personally challenged by this question because my experience has been that God’s Spirit guides the believer minute by minute if we choose to follow. Each day offers new opportunities for following God’s lead. The Spirit might “say”, “Be quiet and listen,” when I’m with someone who needs to talk. The Biblical support for this might feel general, but there is no law against doing good.
Great point Jeff. As you say, God’s Spirit is with us 24/7, guiding us in all circumstances, as Rich says, John 16:13-15. ” Guide you into all truth.” I was just trying to actually get done within 3 minutes by going straight to the bottom line. But Mrs. Englund’s little boy is not letting me do that.
How do we know who is speaking to us, and is it within Gods will? He speaks to our hearts which has a greater impact than any human voice.
I walked past a dirty, unshaven, man one day, reached for my wallet, turned around and handed him $10.00, I told him to get himself something to eat and left. As I walked on I realized he had not asked for money, I had not actually thought about giving him money, I had simply done it. God must have wanted me too. I remember thinking how good it felt to be used by God, to act in His will without any hesitation, without fighting my flesh which would have reasoned, a hamburger is only a couple of bucks, $5.00 would buy a good lunch, $10.00 is actually more than he needs for lunch. None of that happened.
The transgender who had stormed out of our Sunday school class, angry with christians for saying his chosen lifestyle was wrong. I went after him and Ron Toole responded to his problem. Then it was if a voice inside me said “I got this”. My mouth continued speaking but the words came out with unconditional love that was not from my heart. This man began crying, and I heard myself saying, “do you want to hear God”? He said yes, I told him what we were going to do to fix that. I stayed with him through the church service which followed Sunday school, went up front with him at alter call where he accepted Christ in the presence of the whole church.
Jesus tells us pretty simply, “Love God-Love Your Neighbor”. I don’t have the power to follow this simple command on my own. So when I in any way act within these two commands from Christ, I am living and being taught by the Holy Spirit of God, living in Gods will. Sometimes I need to act, or speak, and sometimes I need to stand aside because, “He’s got it.”
Ron,
ThreeMinuteBible.com is happy to grant you a special dispensation that allows you to go over three minutes any time you want. 🙂
Hahahaha! Thank you Jeff.
👍🏻
Great story Ron. Thank you for sharing that and for being sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.
Thank you Ron. I’ll have to try to respond the same way you did by allowing The Holy Spirit take control over situations I’m not sure of.