Chariot October 2007 - Norm Wakefield  

In Search of Happiness - Part 4     

    The last two months we have been acquainting ourselves with two out of three power sources to which people look to cope with life and acquire happiness. They are the spirit of law and the spirit of anti-Christ. We've learned that when I use the term spirit, I'm describing an influence. Without realizing it, we naturally are under the influence of the flesh to try to perform and be happy. When the flesh fails, the appeal of the things in the world may overtake us to the point of addiction and destruction, the opposite of what we were seeking.

Ready for the Spirit of Holiness?

    Having tried to control his world by his own power, and then by using one item after another from the anti-Christ's worldly menu, a person is primed and ready for the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He feels powerless to do what's right, powerless to please God, and unable to quiet his conscience. Furthermore, the pain and scars in his body and soul from rejecting God's Word and trying things in the world oppress him. We might say, "He's got a lot of baggage." He's fallen into the lap of the evil one. Satan has him in bondage, he's addicted, and there are practices from which he can't break free.

    One way to evaluate what has happened to such a man is this: God has used the spirits of law and anti-Christ to prepare him to experience the greatest power source: the Spirit of Holiness. After he's tried many things in the world to cope and secure happiness, he's still searching. God fans the flame of longing for happiness in those for whom His Son died for that very purpose: to keep them searching until they find happiness in Jesus alone.

    Anytime someone looks to the spirit of anti-Christ for power, it will control their life. In trying to control life and secure happiness, one looks to something in the world and the next thing he knows he can't give that thing up. He can't quit using it, and it takes control of his life. To his own dismay, he finds he can't "will it out" because the flesh is the weaker power source.

    When God gives a man of His choosing over to the spirit of anti-Christ, did you know that He is preparing him to receive grace? Let's consider to whom God gives grace: the humble. We also discover in God's Word that He opposes the proud. We're all proud, are we not? If God only gives grace to the humble, and every human being is proud, to whom would He give grace? No one! So before He gives grace, before He sends His Spirit, He prepares us for grace by humbling us–bringing us to the end of our own strength.

    He accomplishes this humbling of man through the spirits of law and anti-Christ. The spirit of law brings us to the end of our flesh strength and the spirit of anti-Christ controls us, weakens us, increases the hurts, scars and pains, and humbles us because we idolize things in the world in our search for happiness. Then God opens our eyes and we cry out, "Oh God, help, I'm caught, I'm trapped. What do I do?" As we come to God in such humility, He gives grace and sends the Spirit of Holiness.

Do you only trust in what God has done in Jesus?

    The purpose of the Spirit of Holiness is to lead us to Jesus alone for fullness and satisfaction. God sends His Spirit of Holiness to sin-sick souls. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Holiness, is the influence of God. When this Spirit moves upon the heart of the uncomfortable, hopeless, powerless, bruised and broken man, his eyes are opened to the destruction of his choices and his helpless state. He's ashamed of what he's done and the things he's tried in order to gain happiness outside of Christ: sex, drugs, alcohol, pornography, sports, busyness, money, whatever. This gracious influence of God turns the eyes of the heart to look to Jesus-His work, His presence, His fellowship, and His peace.

    How can guilt be removed? There's only one way. It's by the blood of Jesus Christ at the cross. Only through Christ can we be forgiven, cleansed, comforted, and grace be given to us in time of need. The spirit of flesh suggests, "Do this or that and you'll live or be happy." The spirit of anti-Christ recommends, "Try this or that thing and you'll be happy." In contrast, the Spirit of Holiness speaks to the heart, "Jesus, and what He has performed and IS, is everything you need." He may add, "You can't do it, the things to which you are looking won't work. Jesus is enough. Look to Him."

    John 16:13 says this, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own initiative but whatever He hears He will speak and He will disclose to you what is to come." The Holy Spirit comes to us, speaks from God, and ministers to us the hope of happiness in heaven with Him–NOW! The Apostle Paul wrote, "For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).

    There is no greater power on the earth than the power of the Holy Spirit. He ministers to us at every point of need. No matter what has happened or may yet occur, we know God provides everything we need in order to overcome and glorify Him. He's everything we need to be happy. He's everything we need to handle the painful feelings of our failures, sin, and the pain of hurtful relationships.

    We can handle the pain because the Holy Spirit allows us to see and apply the powerful work Christ did on the cross. We can say, "Jesus Christ died for us. And if Jesus Christ took away our sins, then God looks at His righteousness and sacrifice on our behalf." What a comfort it is to know Jesus has removed all of the deeds we've done in the power of the flesh as well as those committed under the influence of the spirit of anti-Christ!

    This also has a powerful impact on all our relationships. Because we've been loved, forgiven, and find life and happiness in Jesus, we can love others who wrong or offend us. We have a comfort for the pain of rejection by going to Him. Because He forgave us, we can forgive them. We don't have to accept rejection because we're secure and fulfilled in the heavenlies in our relationship with God in Christ. That's the influence of the Spirit of Holiness.

Are filled with the Holy Spirit?

    I really like what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9. "Just as it is written: things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not entered the heart of man all that God has prepared for those who love Him. For to us God revealed them through the Spirit for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit who is from God that we might know the things freely given to us by God." That is a wonderful promise. We have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Holiness, and He gives us what we need. He manifests the spirit and presence of Jesus Christ.

    Jesus said that we live not by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). He is our bread. The ministry of the Spirit of Holiness is to bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. In John 4:16 Jesus said, "And He [speaking of the Holy Spirit] shall glorify Me. And He shall take of mine and shall disclose it to you. And all things that the Father has are mine. Therefore, I said that He takes of mine and will disclose it to you." The Holy Spirit tells us what Jesus Christ has to give us. But He also glorifies Jesus Christ in everything.

    The Spirit of Holiness has the power the will of man cannot produce and the spirit of anti-Christ cannot create. He produces faith in the heart enabling us to repent and believe in the promises of God. He gives us hope, happiness, security, and peace because we're looking to what God has done in Jesus Christ. How does this happen? It is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit that we see the kingdom of God, know of God's nearness, and live according to what is true in heavenly places. The Spirit of Holiness transports our souls heavenward so we can find our lives hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Therefore, by the Spirit's power, we overcome this world with its tribulations and temptations knowing that our lives are in Christ (John 14:20). That's why we are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit! We waste our lives if we aren't filled.

    Why did God put a longing in our hearts for happiness? In order to keep us searching for Him. Where are you in your quest for happiness? Are you still searching? Have you been wearied yet by the influence of the spirit of law? Have you been damaged by the spirit of anti-Christ. The law is good, it's righteous, and just, but salvation can never occur by the spirit of the law, or the spirit of anti-Christ.

Evangelism by law?

    What happens when a person is told, "If you will only believe or accept Jesus you'll be saved?" In its essence, they are given a law. They will then try to believe and accept in their own strength. Without the Spirit of Holiness as work, it will only show they can't believe enough. As Jesus said to Nicodemus, recorded in John 3:7, "Flesh cannot give birth to spirit." It can only give birth to flesh. But many people think they're saved because they've given mental assent to Jesus' death and resurrection, prayed a prayer, and made certain commitments in a natural sense.

Are you tired?

    I am saying that if you've been trusting in your commitments or choices, then you are deceived about the gospel and you are probably still searching for happiness. You've not been fulfilled because the spirit of law cannot please God and doesn't enable one to experience Jesus. You'll find yourself tired of trying to be a Christian, unless you perform better than most of the people around you. In that case, your basis for happiness is the praise of men and your good performance. That will fail you when you stand face to face with Jesus Christ.

    Are you tired of looking to the spirit of anti-Christ? Do you find your happiness in earning money, watching the latest action movie, playing sports, taking your next drink, having your sexual needs fulfilled, or serving others to get their approval? I want to encourage you to look this very moment to Jesus Christ alone.

    Think about this, please. Think about what God has done through Jesus Christ on the cross. Think about His promises, "He who believes in me will never be disappointed." Or, "All who the Father gives to me I will in no wise cast out." God removed the flesh and all the deeds of the flesh in His Son's work on the cross. Furthermore, Jesus performed for us what we could not perform-His righteousness-and He gives it freely! He gives us the Holy Spirit so we can and will do His will. He actually gives us the power to do it when we draw near to Him and look to Him. Isn't that great? He gives us of His Spirit so that we can obey His word. We live out of our relationship with Him. Jesus alone–His work on the cross, His promises, and a relationship with Him–are the end to our search for happiness.

    God invites us to come to Him, live by His Spirit, and express His life everyday in all that we do. May God fill you with hope as you seek your happiness in Jesus Christ. If you would like to know more about the ministry of the Holy Spirit, I invite you to read The Spirit and Presence of Christ, by Jerry White, Jr., one of my spiritual mentors. You may learn more about the gospel in my book, Anchored in Christ. Both are available on our website: www.spiritofelijah.com.