By Mary Ann Blakesley...
Today Pastor Alan’s sermon from John 16: 1-15 focuses on the precious and eternal presence of God’s Holy Spirit within us. Will we resist or embrace this divine invitation that leads to an on-going process of spiritual transformation? As one who has walked with the Lord for many decades, I can assure you that thankfully my life continues to be transformed from glory to glory by God’s grace. Have I arrived? Absolutely not- but as Joyce Meyer’s often says, “I am not where I want to be, but thank God I am not where I used to be.” Other quotes that accentuate the process that I have engaged in for the majority of my Christian walk is that, “God has turned the mess of my life into his own redemptive message. God has turned the tests of my Christian life into a living testimony of His grace, mercy and truth.”
How did this spiritual transformation take place? By knowing and loving Jesus the process of spiritual transformation embraces a constant receptivity to the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment. Becoming a faithful believer means that we are invited to submit to the Lordship of Christ by embracing the inner guidance, and presence of the Holy Spirit as our teacher. Resistance to this process impedes our spiritual growth and the process of spiritual transformation. We cannot live the Christian life in our own human strength, so the Holy Spirit within us helps us to endure trials, temptations, persecutions or other injustices which might be somewhat uncomfortable. 1 Peter 1: 6-8 affirms this reality, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. “
Spiritual transformation is an on-going process of spiritual growth for believers. Knowing and following Jesus as the Lord and Master of our lives entails a much deeper commitment by each of us as we tap into the resources of prayerful study of God’s word, prayer and a receptivity to obediently stay in tune with the Holy Spirit. Receptivity to the Lordship of Christ is best described by St. Teresa of Avila, in her literary exposition entitled “The Interior Castle.” She reveals, “this interior journey as being inseparable from her love for Christ and that the highest mansions can only be gained by being in a state of grace through the Church sacraments, fervent devotion of the soul’s will to Him, and humbly receiving a love so great it is beyond human capability or description.” St Teresa challenges Christians in the twenty-first century to seek God’s will as we embrace the reality that we are already citizens of the heavenly kingdom and only pilgrims passing through. There is only one life and it will soon pass, only what is done for Christ will last!
Listen to this sermon here!