Friendship With JesusSample

Jesus is Living in Me Through His Spirit

The night before his crucifixion, Jesus gathered his followers for a late evening meal. They met in a second-story room in Jerusalem not more than a 20-minute walk from where he would soon suffer and die. During this historic evening, he prepared them for the fact that they would no longer know him in the flesh as they had. Though he told them he would leave, the Father would send a helper to be with them and in them, and therefore in us (John 14:16-17). The helper, his Spirit, would become our new rabbi-teacher, and his role would be to bring attention to Jesus (John 14:26, 15:26). The Spirit would guide his people into truth. He would disclose what we need to know when we need to know it (John 16:13).

Seven weeks later, at Pentecost, the Spirit was sent to live in his people. This was a game-changer. When the Spirit first came to the people of Israel, he resided in the temple. But when the Spirit returned after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven, he resided in each believer (Acts 2:1-4). He brought us out of the shadows and restored us to a conversational relationship with God.

There is no need for shouting, begging and pleading. We simply acknowledge that he is living in us through his Spirit. He invites us to give him access to every part of our lives. Whenever you realize you have not allowed Jesus to be the leader in some area, apologize and give him access to that part of your life. The more you allow Jesus to live through you by his Spirit, the more you will develop healthy spiritual reflexes and the less you will act on fleshly impulses (Galatians 5:16).

When I began my relationship with Jesus, he cleaned up my vocabulary rather quickly. As a task-oriented person, responding to disruptions has been a steady growth process over the decades. By his Spirit, I’ve been able to pause to hear his subtle reminder: “Clyde, the person before you is created in my image and worthy of my love and your attention.” It’s usually my wife.

So, not only is Jesus speaking to us, he is in front of us leading … and he is in us by his Spirit.

Pattern

When he brings to mind any area of your life where he is not the leader, apologize and start anew. This can happen at any time of day.

Overcoming the objection

What if I don’t feel his presence? Feelings are not a good indicator of reality. I don’t always feel “in love” with my wife, but that is not a true indicator of my love for her. It is my actions over time that show my real love for her. When the adversary asks, “Did God really say?” you can answer, “Yes, he DID say … ’The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us’ ” (Romans 5:5b, LSB).

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for sending your Spirit to live in me. I’m sorry for not allowing you to be my leader when I ... (pause to allow him to bring any situation to your mind). Forgive me. Thank you for giving me a fresh start. By your Spirit’s strength, I will turn back to you whenever I find myself hiding in the shadows. Make me more and more sensitive to your Spirit as he teaches me the truth revealed in your word.