Christosis: Participation in Christ and Imitation of Christનમૂનો

Christosis: Jesus became like us, so that we could be with Him and become like Him.

We are in the final part of Jesus’ farewell message. Jesus wants His listeners to know that the Holy Spirit is what equips us to make the Christian life possible.

Our theme has been Christosis.

We could say…

Christosis is Spiritosis.

The Spirit of Jesus (the Holy Spirit) is what equips or empowers the Church to become like Jesus.

And this final saying from Jesus is all about Spiritosis—or Life in the Spirit.

Jesus does not mention the Spirit in 16:16-33, but He does so right beforehand in verses 5–15.

Therefore, the Spirit is in the background—or foundation—of this teaching.

Secondly, the three powerful promises that Jesus makes in this text are impossible without the Spirit. Therefore, the Spirit is implied in each of these promises.

Today, we will look at Jesus’ promises in this passage as Life in the Spirit.

Life in the Spirit produces Joy.

I think joy is one of those things that any person would say they would love more of. Even if you’re a relatively joyous person, you know how good it feels to have joy, and you would like more.

Want more joy?

Listen closer to the Spirit.

Jesus and Paul (Galatians 5:22-23) both connect joy to the Spirit.

21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. - John 16:21-22 (NLT)

Jesus uses the analogy of childbirth. Even in excruciating pain, there is a great joy that comes through the process of childbirth.

Jesus is predicting His death, burial, and departure. He knows that will produce pain and sorrow. But that sorrow will lead to joy.

When the Holy Spirit falls in Acts 2, people are so joyous that critics and spectators assume they’re drunk.

The Spirit produces an excitement, a joy, an otherworldly reality. It cannot be understood.

Paul said this in Philippians 4:

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT)

Joy—or rejoicing—precedes peace.
Joy is not dictated by circumstance.

Life in the Spirit properly prioritizes our prayer.

We get in our way and overcomplicate prayer. Jesus encourages us to pray, and He wants to answer our prayers. Don’t overcomplicate prayer to the point where you end up not praying.

23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and He will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. - John 16:23-24 (NLT)

Once again, the Spirit is not mentioned here, but the Spirit is implied. I would suggest this passage is closely connected to what Jesus said in John 14:26:

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.- John 14:26 (NLT)

The Spirit reminds us of the words of Jesus and thus shapes our prayer to be consistent with the will of Jesus.

As we listen to the voice of Jesus via the Spirit, our prayer requests become Kingdom of God requests, not Kingdom of me requests.

Life in the Spirit is a life of victory.

Three times in John 12–16, Jesus mentions the “ruler” of this world:

The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. - John 12:31 (NLT)

I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, - John 14:30 (NLT)

Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. - John 16:11 (NLT)

The life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are the victory of God over sin, death, Satan, and the dark forces of this world. It’s a story of God’s victory over the principalities and powers.

And in the Spirit, we can live as victorious people:

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. - John 16:33 (NLT)

Are we overcoming the world or being consumed by the world?

Whenever we resist obedience, we are being consumed by the world.

Jesus is the victor.

May we live in Jesus’ victory and be shaped by his loving, sacrificial cross-shaped victory.