Articles
Ring-billed Gull
John Miller
12/06/21
- Windstream Mail
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This is a ring-billed gull which I photographed as it started to dive into an early mist-filled river. For some reason this image reminded me of what John the baptist said about Jesus, the one who would baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit after the Spirit descended and remained on him when he was baptized. John was familiar with a baptism with water, but he foretold a different kind of baptism, a baptism with an invisible entity, not just an external visible rite. This baptism would involve the reception of a person, a member of the Godhead. He (not it) would bring about a new birth and the introduction of a new nature within those who received him. The indwelling Holy Spirit would provide the recipients with a new power and new desires. They would, in fact, become new creatures. But remnants of the old nature would still remain and initiate an on-going war between these two opposing natures. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit provides us with a seal of God's acceptance and the means to withstand the assaults of evil both within and without. He guides us in our daily walk and enables us to understand the things of God. But he can be resisted. His power can be refused. This business of our sanctification is a joint effort. It requires our willingness to be led. He will not force our compliance but he will refill us if we ask as many times as we ask. Martin Luther made the observation that the Holy Spirit comes riding in the chariot of the gospel. And that is the secret. When Jesus is exalted, the Holy Spirit is behind the scenes, working within us and empowering us in our spiritual growth. If the gospel of Jesus Christ is the focus of our worship, the Holy Spirit will be active. If we neglect or distort the gospel, the Holy Spirit will be dormant. It would be tragic to be baptized with a power that we never use. - John
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