Power Series: Power of The Holy Spirit

“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8: 4-6 KJV)

During His time on earth, Jesus embraced everyone: Samaritans, Jews, men, women, little children, sinners, soldiers, tax collectors, fishermen… the list is endless. None of the ordinary and extraordinary people, who came to Him for healing, council, teaching, or blessing, were rejected. In fact, there was only one group of society who rubbed Him up the wrong way. They were far from being the worst of humanity, these were the crem de la crem of the neighborhood, teachers of God’s law: The Pharisees. Jesus went so far as to criticize them openly,

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” (Matthew 23:27 NIV)

The Pharisees were great at following rules. They strictly adhered to every element of God’s law, but their “good” behavior did not amount to righteousness. Their hearts were ‘unclean’, rotten, dead. Their obsessive rule-keeping did not facilitate heart transformation, and, whilst “man looks at the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). Throughout His teaching, Jesus shifts focus from outward behaviors to inner attitudes. For example:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV)

God desires a purity of heart that is unachievable through human effort alone. The type of purity God desires can only be achieved through the power of the Spirit. When we received the Holy Spirit, he set to work, moving us from within, healing our hearts, molding us into the likeness of Jesus. All we need do now is follow His lead. If we shift our focus from our own efforts to the power of the Spirit and putting our faith in His ability, we will access transformation from the inside out.

Why is it then, that so often as Christians, we return to religion to keep us in line, like a dog to vomit, reducing Christianity to a list of laws, keeping God at a safe distance?
Is there anything in your heart that carries a deathly odour? Are there hidden desires, struggles and shame that you’ve buried in a whitewashed tomb? It’s time to take out the trash and present it to the Holy Spirit so that He can pour His healing love on it. Why not ask Holy Spirit now if there’s anything hidden that needs bringing into the light, and open yourself and your heart to his change and healing?