The Power of The Universe At Your Fingertips

The holy spirit is a stumbling block for many people. The bible speaks of the holy spirit in so many different ways that understanding it can become jumbled. Misunderstanding also happens when people latch on to a small or select set of biblical statements about the spirit and try to massage that into a complete description.

I use the phrase "God family" since the holy spirit is presented to us as the spirit of God, the spirit of the Father, the spirit of Christ the Son... hence the God family.

(Trinity teaching undermines understanding of God as family, father, Son, ???)

The spirit is the power by which God created all things Psalm 104:30

God's spirit is present in every corner of the universe Psalm 139:7-8, Jeremiah 23:23-24

The holy spirit proceeds from God and fills the entire universe. In this way, God can be present within every nook and cranny of the universe... but God is still separate from the universe. He is separate as a distinct being from the universe which is a thing(s) that He created.

There is organization and power in the universe because God projects power into it. There is life in the universe (making it more that just a bunch of rocks) because God projects life into the universe. That power is not built into the universe. It is projeted into the universe by God… because He wants to.

Psalm 33:6-9, Genesis 1:1-13[and God said]

The God family speaks and stuff happens. The member of the God family who later became Jesus Christ is know as the Word.  John 1:1-3,14.

Words should also be understood as: 1) sources of information, and 2) expressions of the will [desires, wants] of the one speaking. As human beings created in the image of God we use language in the same way... to transmit information and express our will… for example “the cat is gray” [info], “I want you to go feed the cat” [will].

So, the universe is constructed on the basis of information: math, gravity, light waves (Einstein’s God). But you must add this;  the universe is constructed on the basis of God's will: purpose, plan, goals.

So, there is raw energy and power, that energy is organized [information], expression of God’s personal will. This is the power of the universe… this is the holy spirit which God wants to put in you.

This whole creation… univese thing… isn’t just one and done.

Hebrews 1:2-3 this same power which creates, also sustains all things, keeps them running. God wants you to know He is present and engaged with His creation. The universe is not like a clock God has wound up and them left to run on its own based on laws [physics, gravity, math]. IE. Einstein’s God.

The truth is that the project of the universe is not a machine set up to run by itself. It is a personal project expressing the will of the Father and the Son. And It is administered by the Son on behalf of the Father.

(Trinity teaching causes confusion over who or what exactly is responsible for the sustaining and creating.

God, through Christ, made you as you are now: [made of the dust of the ground] atoms, molecules, organs, systems... Yet, God wants to work with you on a higher level of creation. This higher level involves the same  power used to create and sustain the universe: the holy spirit. But, this higher level of creation also your active engagement and cooperation. So, the bible also speaks of the holy spirit as an active power at work within human beings.

God’s [through Christ] will work together with your will. Spiritual creation is not passive… you have to be actively involved.

2 Timothy 1:7 the active power of the holy spirit is doing more than upholding and sustaining the atoms, molecules, etc. that make up your body. The power of the spirit is interacting with the human mind.

Romans 8:16 indicates spirit level interaction of your spirit [the spirit in man] with God’s spirit [the holy spirit]. Think of it! This is the vast power of the universe at work in you.

But this active engagement of the human mind and the holy spirit isn't happening in everyone. For now its only at work in those who accept God’s calling and are brought into the new covenant with Him.

Genesis 2:8-9 notice that the tree of life is available for them to eat of if they wanted, verse 16-17. The tree of life represents the holy spirit [the power of life]. God doesn't just automatically give the holy spirit to human beings as part of being born. Receiving the holy spirit is not a passive transaction. 1) the person has to want it 2) the person has to know about it and reach out for it 3) the  person has to cooperate and work with God [in their case it was a simple choice to obey].

If [the great IF] Adam & Eve had chosen the tree of life they could have reached out to the tree of life and received the holy spirit… which would give them spiritual discernment, knowledge, ability to understand and apply the instruction God had given them, and which He would continue to give them. They would begin growing & developing the mind of God... which is a way of peace, joy, fulfillment, contentment, cooperation, and concern for others.

Furthermore... the holy spirit would have planted in them the power that energizes eternal life. The same power that created the vast, awe inspiring universe. When they were ready they would have experienced the transformation of their mortal bodies into spirit composed members of God's family...

Alas, they chose poorly... but why?

#1 Deception: God allows alternative theories of reality and the purpose of life to freely flow in the matrix of the material universe. He allows false information to float around as well as truth, and He allows expressions of an ill-will as well as good, He exposes you to Satan. It serves God's purpose for you. In this way you are aware of the options that are out there, you make your choice, and you take your stand. All this gives God the opportunity to see what you're made of.

But, God being perfectly righteous, truthful and good... cannot, will not, and is not the one to spread that false information. Satan does the dirty work of promoting alternative theories of life and reality... thereby forcing human beings to make a choice, take their stand, and reveal their heart.

So, evil does not come about by the will of God at work in the universe… it is the will of a Satan… and it is the will of human beings.

Because of Adam’s bad choice we are all officially cut off from that power of eternal life. We will all die without it. That was long ago… but we have the same choice before us… obey… reach out for the tree of life… but many don’t because they are deceived.

#2 Laziness: 1 Timothy 2:14 Eve at least has the lame excuse of being deceived. Adam's disobedience was different. He knew the lie was a lie... but he went among with it anyway. He went with the flow, he was passive, and he was lazy. So, that's another way to choose poorly.

Recap: the record in Genesis shows that in the beginning God gave humanity instruction and good information "you may eat all of these, but not that". Humanity decided to make their own decisions about what was the right way to live. What was right vs. wrong... what was good vs. evil... they would sift through the good information and the bad information and make up their own mind.

Genesis 3:22-24 because of this event we are all cut off access to the tree of life means… we are cut off from the power that makes eternal life a possibility. Without it you will die, shrivel up, and blow away like a tumbleweed. That is how Adam brings death into the world by getting mankind kicked out, and cut off from the source of life [as discussed in Romans 5:15-17].

1 Corinthians 15:45-48 what would happen if a human being did not choose poorly. If he/she did not rely on their own human mind and simply accepted the good info and good will of God, and the power of life He offers to give  you? YOU CAN FIND OUT!

Through Christ [the 2nd Adam] the door has opened up and access to the holy spirit is now available to all who claim it. Through acceptance of His sacrificial death as payment for their sins and the cleansing of the conscience through His blood human beings can be cleaned up and may once again come into God's presence… and eat of the tree of life. The first three holy days are walking you through  this process:

However, this process still requires you to cooperate and work with God. Only those who respond to the calling of God will be chosen to receive the holy spirit. That calling is proclaimed through His holy Church. His calling is to bring  you into His Church [the second great message of Pentecost].

God’s end game is that the holy spirit be made accessible to ALL people. But, He is working a plan to re-open access in stages. We are currently in the “age of the Church”. The living Christ is presently administering the receipt of His holy spirit through His Church {more on that at a later date].

So, your relationship with God through His church is actually a matter of life or death. Please do not take it lightly.