Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Orange Moon Tuesday, May 25, 2021 "Sublime"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…


"Sublime" 

   The Bible clearly proclaims the truth of one God, while also identifying three distinct Persons as God, revealing the Divine nature in terms of a unity in plurality, and a plurality in unity.

   "There is one God" (I Timothy 2:5).
   "To us there is but one God, the Father" (I Corinthians 8:6).    
   "Unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, o God, is forever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8).
    "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?... Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God" (I Acts 5:3;4).

    The New Testament, inspired by the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, speaks much of the Father and the Son.  Certainly, the Holy Spirit also occupies a place in the narrative.  However, the emphasis clearly directs our attention to the Father and Son.  We are to pray to the Father, acknowledge His superiority in the authority structure in God, and believe that all things work according to the Father's purpose and will (Matthew 6:9; John 14:28; Ephesians 3:11).  Regarding the Son, the Holy Spirit works to honor and reveal Him, as well as to declare Christ's singular role as Savior and Lord of all who believe (John 16:14; 15:26; Acts 14:12; Philippians 2:11).  Moreover, the New Testament speaks often to the relationship of the loving relationship of the Father and Son, while not overtly referencing the Holy Spirit in those same terms (John 17 perhaps most vividly speaks to this truth).

    Why is this the case?  The Holy Spirit is no less God than are the Father and the Son.  He is no less relational in the love of God. He plays a vital role in fulfilling the Divine purpose.  He dwells so closely to the believer that He literally indwells us.  No more serious consequence can be found in the Bible than that which follows the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Job 26:13; I Corinthians 3:16; Mark 3:28-29).  Thus, we never minimize His place and His role in the godhead, or in our lives.  However, it remains that the Bible He inspired, particularly the New Testament, shines the primary spotlight on the Father and the Son.  "Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:11).

   Rightly considered, such self-deference casts the Holy Spirit in the most beautiful light imaginable.  Sublime humility glimmers in His character, nature, and way.  He speaks to glorify the Father and the Son.  He works to fulfill the Father's will, direct attention to the Lord Jesus, and redeem human hearts.  He inspired a Bible focused on others rather than Himself, and His presence in believers often goes unnoticed even as He accomplishes His mightiest works.  Sublime indeed, and reflective of a Heart more beautiful than our own hearts will ever fathom.  "Thy Spirit is good" declared the Psalmist, in what may be the greatest understatement in the Bible (Psalm 143:10).

   I close now, lest I violate the Holy Spirit's emphasis and devotion.  Another expression of the Psalmist concludes our consideration: "Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us" (Psalm 90:17).  Such beauty graces believers because the Spirit dwells within us, and because as we trust and submit to His leading, His glory rests upon us, a glory that directs attention and focus not to Himself, but to others.  Oh yes, sublime.

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.  He shall glorify Me" (John 16:13-14).
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me."
(John 15:26)

Weekly Memory Verse
   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is."
(I John 3:2).

   












































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