"United In Holy Spirit"
"United In Holy Spirit"
I have other sheep that are not from this fold. They will listen to my voice, and I must lead them too. So there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
To grasp the full depth of this statement, we need to recognise that Jesus is speaking as an eternally existing spirit in the form of a human - a spirit that is present to this day, and who is able to relate to (and manifest through) any person He wills.
Jesus was speaking to the Hebrew Pharisees with artistic language fitting the culture of the time. He was describing that when His eventual Messianic duty is achieved, He will be leading those who follow Him in spirit, although they may be of a different religious and cultural origin.
They will be united in holy spirit and growing in common because they are all following Him in spirit and truth. These ones will not be restricted in their worship of Him by the dogma, institutions and belief systems of traditional religion, because they know that He is above all that.
An hour is coming — it is here now — when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshippers. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
All religions have a concept of being holy - all have a concept of knowing the supreme holy one.. and yet, a holy person of one religion does not represent the religion of another.
The definition of holy means to have no error, to be perfect, complete and unique, then we must ask: how does holiness lead to disunity and disagreements between religions?
The answer is that it doesn't.
The holy spirit is present in a person who is innocent according to the truth - (there is no deceit or selfish ambition that causes him to behave contrary to his moral conscience). Two people can have a constructive conversation and grow in understanding together when they are operating in holy spirit - even if they are of different religions. This is because they are committed to finding agreement about the truth, and they are most interested in following The Holy Spirit's guidance - not allowing their self-centred interests to prevent the truth from prevailing in the conversation.
A person's holy spirit is striving against his desire in order to win control of his thoughts and actions whenever morality is in conflict with his desire.
Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
There is two basic reasons why a person might choose to think and act contrary to his moral conscience:
- Belief - indoctrinated thought patterns forming a world-view that seems fundamental to survival
- Ego - not being willing to give up a luxury; for instance, to honour one who is despised or to not relinquish a possession (even life itself)
He who is not against you is for you
Where there is unity, there is peace; but where there is strife, there is conflict. Therefore, humanity's survival depends upon recognising that regardless of any individual's knowledge, we all have a common enemy: deceit and distrust.
When the world is full of people who are truthful and trust worthy, all sin will have passed away.
The true light, coming into the world, enlightens all mankind.
Saint John writes that the light, which is The Holy Spirit of Christ, enlightens all of mankind - regardless of a person's religion.
I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to The Father except by me.
Jesus spoke as the literal embodiment of the eternal spirit that enlightens all mankind, to say that no-one comes to The Father but through Him. This means that any person who does not walk in the light will not get to The Father.
Everything being exposed by the light is made visible. Indeed, everything that becomes visible is light.
Saint Paul shows that enlightenment is about being perfectly honest - concealing nothing, allowing the truth to manifest.
Why does a person ever desire to conceal the truth? Only fear. They may be afraid of shame or wrath, or a loss of luxury that has been gained immorally. Either they do not trust the judgement that would result, or they do not love the other as they love their own self.
The only valid reason that someone can have for being afraid of judgement, is if the one who is judging does not know love: "love rejoices with the truth" and "love does no harm to a neighbour" - St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:6 and Romans 13:10.
So lay aside lying and “each one of you speak truth with his neighbour,” for we are members of one another.
The Holy Spirit is one language: love and truth. Love is not easily offended, and all who love truth will find agreement through honest, patient discussion.
So speak and act as those who will be judged according to a law that gives freedom. For judgement is merciless to the one who does not show mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement.
- Serving Zion, Nov 12, 2017