SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
(John 14:26)
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Those who truly know the Lord Jesus Christ have a partner. Talk about a dynamic duo!!! The weakest Christian has power beyond belief! Oh if he or she would only come to grips with this astounding truth! The true child of God is not alone.
Over the years (it goes without saying, sort of), I've
had conversations with countless numbers of individuals. Being aware
of the need for fellowship and seizing the opportunity has proven to me more
useful that I ever would
have imagined. I recall several, several people acknowledging the need
to know and understand scriptures and the way of God. Simultaneously,
however, many would express concern about such things as remembering scripture
or how hard the walk is. Today's focus is on John 14:26, where Jesus
makes a statement that I've heard very few discuss -- the key to remembrance.
When it comes to learning and remembering the word of God, are you trusting
yourself or relying on the power of God by way of the Holy Ghost to bring things
to remembrance? This is one of the benefits of having the Spirit of God
resident in the life of a Christian. It's one of the things that sets
Christianity apart from world religions. Having the Almighty, the Creator
of the ends of the earth, the One who holds up the ENTIRE universe by the word
of His power reside on the inside and actively providing personal influence
in our lives makes all the difference in the world. There is nothing
(within the will of God) that we cannot accomplish. There is nothing
that we cannot do. There is nothing that we cannot overcome. All
of this is because of His love, His power and His strength.
Of course, the Holy Ghost comes into the life of the believer ordained to do many things. The function of the Spirit must be facilitated, however, in order for benefits to be obtained. In accordance with today's text, the Holy Ghost comes to teach us and serve as a memory bank in our lives -- to bring to remembrance the things that Jesus has spoken for and to us. I found the Strong's definition for remembrance for our text quite interesting. It means to remind quietly and to suggest to the memory. This falls right in line with a common teaching today that God is a gentleman. He will not force His way into the lives of people, not even of His own children. He stands at the door and knocks, waiting to be received. The need for remembrance is imperative for those who seek to please God and walk in His ways.
Today's operative question is ARE YOU GIVING THE HOLY GHOST SOMETHING TO BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE? I'll never forget something that happened to me the very first week that I was saved. I was reading today's text and the Lord spoke to me and said, "Read." Through the grace of God, I began to do so and saw (continuing to see) how we as Christians have the responsibility to facilitate the work of the Spirit in our lives. In other words, the Holy Ghost cannot bring to our remembrance what we have not heard. Many make a "sideshow" out of the ability to remember or quote scripture. I have heard many over the years attribute recalling scripture to one's level of intelligence instead of to the Holy Ghost. Every Christian holds the potential to remember scripture because of what God has planted in us.
It is also important to note that hearing the word of God must be repetitive. Just as we're not satisfied with having steak, shrimp or appie pie once in our lives, so also should we not be satisfied reading certain passages of scripture at the bare minimum. We couldn't possibly read scriptures enough -- to the point where we can say that we've read enough. Reading is one of God's tools provided to us for the purpose of hearing. Revelation 1:6 declares that we are kings and priests. In the commandments given for kings, we see the importance of reading. It reads, And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. The word "read" here, in its basic state, means to encounter. As we encounter the Lord through His word, we facilitate the Holy Ghost's desire to teach us and bring God's word back to our remembrance. Coupling this with a willing heart brings about obedience. Obedience (bringing forth fruit, cp. John 15:8) is the greatest way we can glorify the Father.
Let's remember to give the Holy Ghost something to bring back to our remembrance :-). Without this function in our lives, we will fall short of the glory of God. With it, we can be stirred up to accomplish what the Lord has ordained for our lives. Be committed to reading the word of God. I call to remembrance Paul's exhortation in 1 Timothy 4:13-14, Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Let's facilitate the Holy Ghost so that we might partake of ALL that God has provided for us.
Until next week, keep the word and be blessed!
Reprinted from Remnant Online: Volume 2, Issue 1 -- Facilitating
Remembrance
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An outreach ministry of Remnant Christian Assembly, Inc. All rights reserved.
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