Abba!

There's been so much negativity about the Holy Spirit recently! Maybe it's me, but it seems every corner I turn there is another Christian denying His power, ridiculing those who love Him, and even mocking the Spirit Himself! This saddens me greatly. It scares me to think of our behavior toward the Holy Spirit.. remember what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? They lied to the Holy Ghost, and were struck dead!

I believe much of this blatant irreverence is perpetrated by the false assumption that the Holy Spirit is not actually God. Instead, people view Him as a mere energy force, or an intangible and invisible power. Few people actually identify Him as God. However, Scripture plainly declares His deity: "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (Acts 5:3-4).

One of the greatest hindrances that this irreverent behavior will produce is a lack of intimacy with Jesus. Christians who reject the baptism of the Holy Ghost (and all that He stands for) will always struggle to acquire and function in the intimacy God is after. Salvation is free, but real intimacy must be daily cultivated and nurtured (Matt 25:8-9). And do we realize that we simply cannot have intimacy with Jesus apart from His Spirit? To try and do so is like struggling to suck the life out of a juice box without a straw! You can try all you like, but very little juice will flow. Why? Because you require a vehicle, a straw, to impart that substance which you're aching for. No matter how "thirsty" you may be, without an immersion into the Holy Spirit, there is no straw, no vehicle for fulfillment! There is little to no impartation of the real substance of God.. It's only by the Spirit: "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph 2:18).

We just cannot be intimate with King Jesus apart from the Holy Spirit. Notice what the Bible says: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom 8:14-15). This term "Abba" was a term of endearment. It means, "daddy". This was the word Jesus used for His Father (Mk 14:36). It is a word denoting intimacy and affection. This word describes the utmost filial confidence and attachment. Notice that this relationship cannot be adequately realized apart from "the Spirit of adoption", that is, the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13), as children of God, and seals us with His Spirit and fire (Acts 2; 2 Cor 1:21-22). The Holy Spirit is the only avenue "whereby" we cry ABBA! Why wouldn't we want to be immersed into all He has to offer?

To be honest, we can only be intimate with the Lord as the Holy Spirit works through us: "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal 4:6). Why then, do believers forsake His baptism? The Holy Spirit is He who turns a servant into a son; He turns a servant into an intimate lover! "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son..." (Gal 4:6-7). So how do we expect to have any hope apart from Him? How can we survive without being immersed into His graces?

Nevertheless, men deny Him. Men hate His manifestation. Men turn their noses up at His gifts. How sad that these same Christians will never know real intimacy with Jesus. Do we want to know His acts only? Or do we want His ways too? (Ps 103:7).

Dive in, the water's fine!