The Gospel of Luke 1:80 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” (Luke 1:80 KJV).

John was filled with the Holy Spirit, from the time he was conceived in his mother's womb, according to the promise of the angel (Luke 1:15). One should not be surprised that John would grow "waxed (became) strong in spirit." The Holy Spirit filled John's spirit and empowered his life. Though he was born under the Old Covenant, John was not shaped by the political culture of the day or by the religious ways of the temple priests of the Old Covenant. He was shaped by the Spirit of God. He lives in the same way when God used to shape the people of Israel before they reached the Mount Sinai, and to some degree to the Promised Land — by living in the wilderness (Exodus 19:4-5; Deuteronomy 2:7).

John's role was unique. His ways were strange and do seem bizarre even to our present day perspective. The point Luke wants us to know, however, is that John was Spirit-led. His work sets the stage for the dawning of the age of the Holy Spirit and the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6). The same Spirit is ours to rest on when we believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. Our Lord Jesus Christ said: ““All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:25-26 NIV). The Holy Spirit informs, transforms, equips, guides, and leads us, as children of God and helps us be all that we can be.

So, we can become strong in the Spirit! That, we have access in our total dependence in the Lord's grace, and by regular intake of His Words. It is written: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV); and in other passages, we are reminded, that: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
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