Is Jesus with us or not? part 2

“The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23).

“As the heart panteth after the water brokkds, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night.... Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” (Ps. 42:2-4, 6).
 

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3John 2).

“The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:10,11).

Before looking further into the Spirit of God, let’s look at a related issue.

We don’t have a disembodied spirit or soul that travel, but we do have a spirit and soul that our Creator gave us at creation. Our spirit and soul are the special gifts of our mind and heart that allow our human race to have an especially deep communion with its Creator. That communion more often than not has been compromised by sin and the love of idols and other gods. Our Creator who still remembers the beautiful communications He had with Adam and Eve longs for the redemption of our hearts and minds, so that our faith and love can again be charged with His, our souls and our spirits with His Spirit. Then we have the peace and comfort and confidence that come with dwelling in His embrace.

“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” (Eph. 2:1).

“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” (Eph 3:16,17).

 

So, our spirit and soul are simply our cognitive, relational faculties, and are not things that can leave our body, whether while alive or at death, to move around on the earth.

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” (Ecc. 9:5,6). When the body dies, death causes the spirit to cease existing. The thoughts and hopes of our spirit come from a brain that must function in order for the faculties of thought, reason, memory, conscience to exist, so that when the brain dies, its thoughts and hopes vanish. The previous spirit of a man has no more conception of the world and can observe nothing.

“The waters wear the stones: Thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and Thou destroyest the hope of man. Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” (Job 14:19-21).

“For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1Cor. 5:3-5).

Paul said that he would be with the Corinthian church leaders to fix the moral problem of an individual in their church family. Paul would be with them, not in person, but by his spirit. That’s an interesting thought. What did Paul mean? We’ve proven from scripture that Paul didn’t have a separate entity within himself, that could leave him and travel from Philippi to Corinth and stand amongst the Corinthian council to guide their decision on this matter? None of us have a disembodied spirit that can travel outside of our bodies. Then, Paul must be speaking of a whole different concept.

Moses throws light on the spirit issue.

“And [Moses] gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.” (Deut. 31:23).

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Deut. 34:9).

Did Moses have a disembodied spirit? No. And even if we say that Moses was resurrected, did he ever come to talk with Joshua to give him guidance? We never read of that happening. The closest we come to that is when we read of a heavenly being who did come to him. Michael the Prince of the host came to personally endorse the Israelite leader (see Joshua 5:13-15). Then, how could Moses be with Joshua as he brought the children of Israel into Canaan?

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Josh. 1:5-9).

Why would the Lord be so faithful to Joshua? Because he would read from Moses’ counsel all the days of his leadership, and the words of the Lord God through Moses would guide his heart and mind. Christ’s Spirit would put the Law in Joshua’s mind and write it upon the tables of his heart, a new spirit being given to him morning by morning and throughout each day, as it had been for Moses, Joshua would know that his Lord was near to deliver him in battle. Joshua would extend Moses’ own example of the new covenant to God’s people (see Jer. 31:31; Eze. 36:26). Moses was saying that he would be with his disciple if Joshua would keep Moses’ law before him. Through the commandments that the Lord God had given him on Sinai, Moses could say that he would be with Joshua.

All that we can say with certainty about the Spirit is that Moses would continue to speak through his law to all future ages (see Deut. 31:7-13). And, who was speaking in Moses’ law? “The Spirit of Christ” (1Pet. 1:11), the Lord God of Israel, commanded Moses what to say and write. Thus, through Moses Christ’s Spirit would speak to all succeeding generations, families, kings, and priests. Moses’ law was to be read by all the kings of Israel, and they were to handwrite out their own private copy, and thus the law would be a very personal source document, from their own hand and for their own soul. Their heart and mind would be invested in the principles of the law, and the truth would speak to them.

“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.” (Prov. 6:20-22).

Through the law the rulers of Israel would have wisdom—a heavenly wisdom. They would have Jehovah’s strong words in their heart—Jesus the Word of God, the Word of life.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.…That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” (John 1:1-10).


Jesus is likewise the Truth and the Law of God, the power and the wisdom of God. “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God…. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1Cor. 1:24, 30).

“I Wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is Mine, and sound wisdom: I am Understanding; I have strength. By Me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By Me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.” (Prov. 8:12-17).

Jesus the Word of God was the Spirit of wisdom that gave understanding and strength to the children of men. All who sought Him early found Him. Jesus was speaking through Solomon, and His words come directly to our hearts, “I love them that love Me.” “All they that hate Me love death.” (Prov. 8:36). It was the same thought Jesus spoke from Sinai.

“Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.” (Ex. 20:5,6).

God is the Spear-it of truth, and His Son is the point of the Spear.  His conviction of our short-comings and sins, our unbelief and ingratitude are like arrows that go deep into our consciences. Amen! Just what we need for more faith and righteousness!

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (Heb. 4:12,13).

“Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into Thy lips: therefore God hath blessed Thee for ever. Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O most mighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty. And in Thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and Thy right hand shall teach Thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under Thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” (Ps. 45:2-7).

The Spirit of God is powerful to go through our self-deceptions and to get right to the truth.

“And one of the company said unto Him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And He said unto him, Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you? And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:13-15).

“And there shall come forth a Rod out of the Stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and shall make Him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears: but with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.” (Isa. 11:1-5).

“Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His law.” (Isa. 42:1-4).

“Jesus said, Who touched Me? …  And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately. And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:45,47,48). He called her out only to confirm and establish His permanent blessing to the woman of faith. That no flesh should glory in His presence.

It was through the words of truth that Jesus would abide with Moses and Joshua and David and the New Testament church.

“He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love Him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:21-23). “If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever…. I will come to you” (John 14:15,16,18).

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” (John 15:7,8).

“As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (John 15:9-11).

The truth in the soul binds our spirit with the Spirit of God in Christ. As God made all things through Jesus Christ (see Ephesian 3:9), so God was in Christ reconciling the world back to Himself. Thus, Their Spirit can reach our vapid, wandering spirit; and reclaim it forever.

The SPIRIT of God + the Spirit of Christ + our spirit = the communion of the Holy Ghost.

The SPIRIT of LAW + the Spirit of Truth + our spirit that yearns for conviction = the biblical Spirit of truth that leads us to repentance.

SPIRIT + Spirit + spirit = the biblical Spirit.

It is Jesus who is with us, not a third person. His Spirit is with us; He, His own Spirit, through His words to us which He brings to life, is with us. “I that Speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isa. 63:1). His Spirit, His commandments and words and statutes, His truth, is Him; they are as verily Jesus as when He first spoke them.  And that’s good enough for me. Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!