I'm still here - healthy and living in a fairly self-isolated way in Victoria, the premier COVID-19 state of Australia.
As some have noted, I haven't written anything for several weeks - either here or on social media.
Instead I have taken on a huge, but fascinating, study of "spirit, soul and heart" from a Biblical perspective.
What are they, what is their role, how are they different, how do they interact with each other, etc. etc.????
I didn't plan to do any writing here until I had finished this study, but, as usual for me, I have fallen down several rabbit holes along the study trail, and thought I would mention one of them to you.
I have visited some of these rabbit holes before, but it's amazing how the Holy Spirit is always teaching you new things and challenging you in fresh ways, even in familiar surroundings.
The rabbit hole I want to share with you is one of the mysteries revealed to Paul that he shared with his young churches.
... the mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.I have dwelt on these and similar verses for hours (it was a deep rabbit hole) and have been challenged by some searching questions:
(Colossians 1 : 27 NIV)
... Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you ... ?
(2 Corinthians 13 : 5 NIV)
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
(Romans 8 : 10 - 11 NIV)
... whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
(1 Corinthians 6 : 17 NIV)
... Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, ...
(Galatians 2 : 20 KJV)*
- What would Christ be doing through me if I really believed Him to be in me?
- If I am living empowered by the faith of Christ, not my own faith, what results should I expect to see?
- What sort of person should I be becoming with God's Spirit living in me?
- As a member of the Body of Christ, having been chosen to serve with Christ in His coming Kingdom, how is my preparation for this role going?
Would you like to explore these questions in your upcoming times of reading, praying and meditation and share some of your thoughts with me?
Blessings, Barry
* I have used the KJV here because it correctly translates whose faith we live by. I discussed this in more detail about three years ago here.
