“In” and “On” Two little words but a huge difference!

Scripture Read: Judges 6:33-35 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east assembled themselves; and they crossed over and camped in the valley of Jezreel. So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him. He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.

Application: We looked at this earlier in Judges, but it is worth our attention again, because the relationship a child of God has with the Holy Spirit is essential to intimacy with God. First, let’s remind ourselves of the difference in the relationship that we have compared to the Old Testament saint. The Holy Spirit would “come upon” a person. What that means though is that He also could leave. David shared this fear after his sin of murder and adultery:

Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

This is a prayer that no child of God will ever have to pray since the event of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit’s role and relationship with the New Testament saint is very different and may even explain the reason for God’s patience and tolerance of sin in the Old Testament. Men and women were not “partakers” of the divine nature, so their ability to resist sin would have been more difficult. In the NT even the standards for elders are clearly more accountable – one and only one wife. This has everything to do with our ability to “not” sin; it has nothing to do with sin being greater today than it was then. Sin is sin, but our Lord is very loving and patient, He understands our weaknesses. However, with a new nature given by the Holy Spirit at regeneration and having the Holy Spirit taking a permanent residence in us, we have the ability to truly be free from much of sin.

Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰ For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

We still need to realize, though the Holy Spirit will never depart – sealed till the day Christ returns – that does not guarantee that we are His friend. That is the difference between relationship – which is secure – and fellowship – which is dependent upon our moment-to-moment walk with Him. Thank God that His Spirit is forever with you, but do not take for granted your friendship. Listen to Him and commune with Him.  

Meditation Questions: Do you ever ask the Spirit’s forgiveness when you grieve, resist or quench Him? If not, why? Do you understand the difference between a relationship and a friendship? What is the basis for a relationship? What is the basis for a friendship? How can you have a relationship with someone yet not have a friendship?  Do you have a daily awareness of your need to commune with the Holy Spirit everyday?