“The temptation to fill and fix oneself are significant in the Christian life. We will always be tempted to look for ways to fill ourselves and to equate God’s presence, acceptance, and love with spiritual pleasure rather than trusting in the promise by faith. . . . We are tempted, with the Corinthian church, to equate Christian power with worldly power and achievement, using those things to secure life on our own terms.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”- Romans 5:5 (ESV)
Kyle Strobel and John Coe conclude Chapter 8 of When God Seems Distant with this astute observation. That many people naively think that they have dealt with a specific sin. That their spiritual efforts conquered the problem. But, the authors note, the truth is often different.
Certainly, Kyle and John acknowledge, the Holy Spirit’s ministry to lance the wound of our flesh to expose the truth is often painful. However, in the end, the cure awakens praise, gratitude, and awe from the heart. Because the Spirit’s work calls us to see these things for this purpose. So that we receive forgiveness, redemption, and transformation where we need it most.
But, the authors counsel, this happens if we assume that being filled with the Spirit always produces pleasure. Then we miss the way the Lord calls us to himself. And exposes us to the truth.
In conclusion, Kyle and John exhort:
“As a Christian, you have the Spirit. That is the truth of your life by faith. By having the Spirit, you are called to live a spiritual life — a life that seeks, rests upon, and receives the love of God poured into your heart by the Spirit (Romans 5:5).
Today’s question: do you ever equate spiritual pleasure with God’s presence? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Formed supernaturally: one place only”