The definition of selfless

I just got back from taking my darling dog for a walk. Now while you probably dont think much of that in itself...bear in mind the temperature outside is approximately 8 degrees if not lower. While I was walking, I started to joke with myself about how I was such a good guy to my dog...forgoing my tv watching to take her for a walk which as with most dogs is their single most favorite thing!

But what is the true definition of a selfless act? Is it taking a dog for a walk in freezing conditions? Is it taking your girlfriend to watch a movie of her selection? Is it dining a restaurant with your partner, one which is their favorite and your most disliked? Is it giving up the opportunity to watch the footy so you can take your loved one to watch the ballet instead?

All these acts are very caring, very loving, very nice...but they all fail to compare to one of the most selfless acts known to man...that being Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus took it upon himself to bear the weight of all of our sins and his crucifixion won a victory for us all. By His blood, we are forgiven. By His pain, we are saved. By His life we are able to come into a relationship with our heavenly Father.

One of the most popular verses of the Bible is John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

For God so loved us that He gave His only son. His one and only son was given up so that we could come into God's presence blameless and free of sin. God loves us so much that in order for us not to perish, He gave up His only son. No matter how you look at it...it truly represents a selfless act of love for us.

Jesus loves us so very much. He didn't only love us that single day He died for us on the cross...no He loves us each and everyday. I know myself that there are days that I get caught up in the weight of the world...I spend less time in His presence and more time in the presence of things in this world. But what we must never forget, never downplay and never under appreciate is how much Jesus loves us.

"“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12

Is there something missing?

In Acts 19 we see Paul performing great miracles in the name of Christ Jesus, but none more powerful that where he placed hands on the men and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. One of the really interesting things here is that Paul came out and asked them the question "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" What exactly prompted Paul to ask this question? He must have identified that there was something missing in these men. Despite the fact that they believed, there was something that they didnt have.

Have you ever left home on a trip, but in the back of your mind you have that nagging feeling that you have forgotten something, that you are missing something. Despite the fact that you believe we have packed everything we need...we cant shake the thought in the back of our mind that there is something we are lacking. There are times in life where we believe that we have it all planned out, we have all the right ingredients...but at the same time we feel something is missing.

The Holy Spirit is one that can be easily neglected...we think of it as an additional extra...but we fail to realise that we are designed to run on the power of the Spirit! Just like you can have a fancy car with all the additional extras...unless you fill that car with petrol...its not going anywhere! We must come to the point where we realise that trying to live without the Spirit is impossible.

By the Spirit, we have an assurance that we are saved, we can walk confidently knowing we are guided on the path that God has set before our feet. It is when we being to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit that we genuinely feel the sense of overpowering joy. This is mentioned in Rom 15:13 -

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

It is highlighting the point that we will overflow when we are driven by the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was preparing to depart, the disciples were quite upset, but Jesus reassured them by telling them that he was to leave His spirit with them.

The power of the Holy Spirit is an amazing gift in our lives. In my life alone...there are times when I am praying to God where my vocabulary just isnt enough...where I am not able to coherently express how much I am grateful to God and how much I love Him. But the power of the Holy Spirit allows us to go beyond our constraints and praise Him at a higher level, as we read in 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 -

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 

 I think this is a topic that needs to be continued on...but I want to finish up by just reiterating how important it is to live our lives by the Holy Spirit. We can give our lives to God, we can join a Cell Group, we can being Serving...we can tick all the boxes, but unless you allow yourself to be baptized by the Holy Spirit, unless you allow the Holy Spirit to dwell within you and guide you in life...you will be doing things the hard way. Galatians 5:18-23 speaks of the fact that we are empowered to replace ungodly habits with godly fruit such as love, patience, and self-control! But most of all...the Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of how much we are loved, that God would send the Holy Spirit to be with us constantly and strengthening us in times of need.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)