The power of God's nature

(Next-to-last post in the current series)

So far we have looked at various passages in which the "Spirit of God" and "Word of God" are used in ways that can test our assumptions about them. 

First, the New Testament authors really do speak as if they mean it literally that God's Spirit is the spirit that comes to live in us, giving us new life. Consider St Paul here, speaking while the literal Temple in Jerusalem still stood, where the presence of God was expected to dwell: 

"Don't you know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Again, consider the New Testament authors speaking as if the spiritual life is new in a way that leaves us immature, where three different letters, generally understood to be by three different authors, all pick up "milk" as a metaphor to point out immaturity or tender new life: 

"I fed you with milk, not solid food" (Paul, 1 Corinthians 3:2)

"You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child." (Hebrews 5:12-13)

"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2)

The New Testament authors speak as if our Christian walk is not so much a matter of needing more information, and more a matter of living according to the character and spirit of God. In the New Testament epistles, Sts. John, Peter, and Paul all address our character coming to be like God's character not because we studied or tried hard enough, but because we have a fundamental connection to God who is like that: 

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

"as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16 )

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

And of course the apostles' teaching in this matter follows Jesus' own teaching. We often read Jesus' teaching as if he is saying to try really hard to be perfect. But again we see Jesus basing his teaching on children being like their father: 

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:44-48)

Only one entry left in the current series. Thank you for your patience!