WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 26 of 37

THE ESSENTIALITY OF THE SPIRIT'S MINISTRY

The Almighty God conceived our salvation, purposing it before the world began (2 Tim 1:9). His "determinate counsel" reserved the Lamb, "slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev 13:8). In "the fulness of the time," He sent His Son into the world to "destroy the works of the devil," reconcile the world to Himself, and provide a means for Him to be both just and the Justifier of those believing in Jesus (Gal 4:4; 1 John 3:8; 2 Cor 5:18; Rom 3:26). After Jesus had taken away the sin of the world, God exalted Him to His own right hand, making angels and authorities and powers subject to Him (1 Pet 3:22). In resplendent glory, the Savior is reigning there now, "bringing many sons to glory," as determined by the Father (Heb 2:10). He faithfully intercedes for them, dispatches angels to minister to them, and monitors and manages of their trials and temptations (Heb 7:25; Heb 1:13-14; 1 Cor 10:13). God Himself works everything together for the ultimate good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).

A sophist might suppose that pretty well locks up the matter of salvation, removing any need for vigilance on the part of men. After all, it is God Himself who has determined all of this, working according to His own good pleasure. For some, it is difficult to believe there is any element of jeopardy associated with this salvation, or that anything more needs to be done–even though Jesus is still involved in incessant activity for the chosen ones. All of heaven knows, while in this world, we are, in a very real sense, "absent from the Lord" (2 Cor 5:6). It is certainly not wise to conduct our lives, or mold our thoughts, as though this was not the case. In this world, life in Christ is not lived out in a vacuum, and woe to the person who approaches life in ignorance of this situation.

The vital and indispensable ministry of the Holy Spirit addresses our present condition. Because we remain inherently weak, God uses the Spirit to "strengthen us with might" in the "inner man." This is done in order that Christ may "dwell in our hearts by faith", an indwelling that is not taken for granted by God (Eph 3:16-17). Faithfully, He bears witness with our spirit that we are "the children of God" (Rom 8:16). It is inconceivable that this ministry is not necessary, or that being ignorant of our sonship has no bearing on our safe arrival in glory. Our ultimate presence with the Lord is not taken for granted by God. Why would any person be tempted to take the matter for granted?

The present circumstance of the saints of God demands they receive resources from heaven. They cannot walk by faith or live in the Spirit without Divine provision. What is more, their own prayers are used to appropriate these needs. In "everything," by prayer and supplication, they are to make their requests known to God (Phil 4:6-7). They are promised, "ask, and ye shall receive," with the realization of the fulness of joy (Matt 7:7; John 16:24). Some believers were told they did not receive from God because they did not "ask," and even because they asked "amiss" (James 4:3). Prayer plays a vital role in the perfection of the believer.

However, our prayers are not enough. We are apprised there are times when "we do not know how to pray as we ought." Such occasions are doubtless addressed by the intercession of the Lord Jesus, who faithfully intercedes for us. However, by Divine intent, there is more involved. The Holy Spirit, resident within believers, also intercedes for them in a very precise and needful way. His intercession is not between Him and the saints, but with the Father Himself. It is written, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom 8:26-27).

Notice the remarkable precision expressed in this passage. First, the Spirit "helps" our infirmities, or weaknesses. It is sure, therefore, that we do possess weaknesses, even though we have been forgiven of sin, reconciled to God, and our names written in the Lamb's book of life. The weaknesses are so pronounced that Divine help is required. Furthermore, our level of understanding remains so inadequate that we do not even know "how to pray as we ought." Does the Lord look upon that as an inconsequential technicality with no bearing at all upon our relationship to Him? Indeed not! He relies on the intercession of the Spirit, who can most precisely articulate our needs to God. The "groanings," or "sighs," uttered by the Spirit to God are very deep, and unable to pass through human speech. We are given to understand that the need being addressed by the Spirit must be heard with effectual communication–and longing is not sufficient for that requirement.

The Father knows the mind of the Spirit. That is, the Spirit does not have the inabilities of expression that we have. To be sure, the Lord knows our hearts, and all the thoughts of our minds. Nothing is hidden from Him. However, in the matter of appropriation the thoughts and intents of our hearts are often NOT adequate as a basis for receiving needs. The Holy Spirit must make the presentation. The text states precisely why this is the case. There is a unanimity between the Father and the Holy Spirit that comes to bear upon our situation. The Father knows the mind of the Spirit, and the Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God (verse 27). Here is a case where the will of God is not accomplished by a mandate, but by the intercession of the Holy Spirit for those who do not know what they should pray for.

Here is where the matter bears upon our subject: We are not in heaven yet. Our salvation involves the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit. It seems presumptuous to me to assume His intercession has no bearing on our ultimate destiny. It would b e reproachful to the Lord to engage in such an aggressive activity if it had no consequence.

There are solemn warnings concerning grieving the Holy Spirit of God. "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30). "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thess 5:19). Nothing in Scripture suggests the Spirit will continue the intercession of reference if He is grieved or quenched. Nor, indeed, is it suggested by the Word that we may safely negotiate to the world to come independently of the intercession of the Spirit.

Also notice the care with which the warning is stated. The text does not say we are "sealed" until we get to heaven. Rather the seal is "until the day of redemption," which is the resurrection of the dead (Rom 8:23). Although technically all of the dead will be raised, it will not be an advantage for them all. Some will be condemned at that time, and some saved. As it is written, "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan 12:2). Jesus confirmed this referred to the resurrection of the dead (John 5:28-29). Men are not to assume that being "sealed" until that day allows for the quenching and grieving of the Spirit.

Paul shows this to be the case when he testifies of the consistent effort he exerted, "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead" (Phil 3:11). By this, I understand he means he wanted the resurrection to be the consummate experience of his salvation, not the time of his condemnation. His efforts were simply another way of NOT quenching the Spirit.

Those who heed the admonition to avoid grieving and quenching the Spirit will be brought on their way by His powerful intercession.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name I thank You for the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit. I do not want to grieve Him, and therefore ask for grace to be a great source of joy to the Spirit.

-- Tomorrow: