“I saw your fathers as the first-fruits on a fig tree in its first season” (Hosea 9:10). “Seeing a fig tree by the road, He (Jesus) came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and He said to it, ‘Let no fruit grow on you ever again’” (Matt. 21:19). A prophecy written in Ezekiel 34 states, “O’ shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! I am against the shepherds and I will require My flock at their hand.” and “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.” The promise of Jesus is also written, “I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down. I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick.” The believer is the body of Christ and Jesus the head. To the body, Jesus has said, “Go into the world and preach the gospel (Good News) to every creature (Mark 16:15). These signs shall follow those who believe: In My name they will feed My flock, seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick.”

These signs shall follow those who believe; In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say to you, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him will the Son of man confess before the angels of God” (Luke 12:6-8). If anyone loves Me, they will keep my word; and the Father will love them, and We will come to them and make our home with them (John 15:23). The Helper, the Holy Spirit, that My Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and put in remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 15:26).

Our Lord Jesus, the Word of God, was sent to the world by a loving Father, because the Father loved the world. The Holy Spirit has been sent to the world by the Father in Jesus’ name to teach and to help us remember the words Jesus spoke while He was on the earth as a man. Jesus said, “I love the Father, and as the Father gave me command, so I do” (John 15:31). Jesus also said, “If you love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever” (John 14:15-16). What commandments was Jesus talking about – everything ever written? Was He talking about all the laws ever written? These are the commandments: – Let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1) – believe in God, believe also in Me – believe that I am in the Father – believe that the Father is in Me (John 14:11) – ask in My name. Jesus was saying, “Have faith in the Father and the Son and ask in My name and I will pray to the Father and the Father will send the Holy Spirit in My name.” In Second John verse 5 and 6 it is written that the doctrine of Christ is “that we love one another.”

Christ Jesus lived and died for us. Christ Jesus suffered and died for us. Christ Jesus came to us as a result of God’s love. Jesus did not suffer in vain. He suffered so He could leave us His peace. He lived to fulfill the law and the prophecies – to completion. Jesus did not come to say, “See it can be done, now you do it.” He came to complete it and give us the peace (freedom) we need to love the lord our God and love one another. When we believe, have faith, in the Father and the Son and ask in the name of the Son, we will receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will bring to us gifts to serve each other and grow in us the love to love God and one another. Our attempts to be righteous is like filthy rags to God. The Father loved us and sent His Son to live and die for us – that Son is alive and at the Father’s right hand. If (when) we attempt to be our own righteousness, we are saying to God, “No thank you. I’ll do it myself.” When we attempt to follow law and works to righteousness we are turning down the forgiveness the Son of God died to give us.

Once the Holy Spirit is with you, He will speak with you. Remember, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” One of the things the Holy Spirit does is to tell us what God is saying to us. The Holy Spirit teaches and puts in remembrance. How does the Holy Spirit teach? If we learned only from scripture, why do we need the Spirit? The Spirit helps us understand. How? By speaking the Word, Jesus, to us in terms we can understand. By speaking to us. If He speaks we must listen and hear. Understanding comes from hearing the Word. How do we hear? The Holy Spirit speaks. That is how Jesus (God) is seeking out His own. That is how Jesus (the Word) is feeding His flock. That is how Jesus (the Word) puts His message into the mouths of those that go into the world and preach the gospel. The Holy Spirit comes in Jesus’ name and it is with that name that we will feed His flock, seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick.

© 2004 Tim D. Coulter Sr.