THE LOCATION OF THE SPIRIT

FRIDAY 04 FEBRUARY 2022

The Spirit of the Lord grants us freedom from all kinds of bondage and shackles. And as we walk in step with Him, we enjoy the glorious freedom delivered to us through the forgiveness and salvation we obtained in Christ Jesus.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 3:17 New Living Translation (NLT) "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

In the context of today's topic, the Bible talks about the glory of the new covenant. Paul compared the glory of the old covenant with the new and the end result is: But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on the heart. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Beloved, there is nothing you compare the Lord with that will outplay His attributes and supremacy, both in heaven and on earth.

Good News Translation reads: 'Now, "the Lord" in this passage is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.' Simply put, the Lord and the Spirit are One and the same, and the Lord's Spirit sets free. However there is an important expression to attend to: "And wherever the Spirit of the Lord is!" In other words, the location of the Spirit is of paramount importance. If we are ignorant of the location, freedom is far from us. Now, at this very moment, I'm convinced that its the person who is not yet born again that wonders where the Spirit is.

In two different chapters of the same book, Apostle Paul asked two similar questions. The first is in 1 Corinthians 3:16 which reads, "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" And the second in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "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?" Here both Scriptures are talking about the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. His location is in you because you are God's sanctuary. Yes, God's Spirit lives in you! And therefore, there is freedom in the divine indwelling.

Now that we have identified the location of the Spirit, its even wiser to pinpoint where the Spirit of God is not present. In John 14:17 (NLT), Jesus introduced the Spirit in this manner: He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him and doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you." The Spirit's location matters. The world cannot receive Him, meaning that He is not of the world but He is with us, the saints, and in us because we are of God.

No wonder 1st John 4:3-4 reads, "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." Then it continues, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (KJV). The spirit of antichrist is already in the world, which is not the spirit of freedom. So John the evangelist depicted the presence and reign of the Spirit in us by affirming that He is superior to the spirit in the world.

In Paul's concern about the Galatians, the Bible says: 'Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?' Galatians 4:6-9 (NIV).

Beloved, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, to establish our freedom, which implies that freedom starts from within as the reality of our inward experience and then extends to every aspect of our Christian life. Indeed, it is the veritable light that illuminates and pours on the understanding and conscience of every born again Christian as he walks in the truth. Shalom!

Exuberant Declaration: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and He dwells in me graciously. He grants me freedom from all kinds of bondage and shackles. I'm forever grateful because my heart is the seat of His operations. As I walk in step with Him, I enjoy the glorious freedom in Christ without limits. His daily influences produce the appropriate effects of Divinity in my life. Thus I freely walk in favour, excellence, victory, and as a heir of the Kingdom inheritance. Hallelujah!