John 14:8-21 | What am I going to do about it?

So we have discussed both the cycle of faith -> love -> obedience. We have also discussed the need of the Holy Spirit and the benefit Jesus sees in sending the Holy Spirit. The action plan of these lessons marry together. Scripture seems to infer to some degree that the receiving of the fullness of the Holy Spirit is contingent on some degree of faith and obedience. This is not to say that you get more Holy Spirit based upon the goodness or amount of works you do. Rather, it is to say that sincere belief will result in the love and obedience a believer will experience and that same sincere belief is what leads one to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

I hope I made this clear. James highlights how faith without works is dead. Acts talks about those who did not obey did not receive the Holy Spirit. There is a consistent line to follow here. The mark of sincere faith is the fruit in one's life. That is also the evidence of the Holy Spirit in one's life. I would say they seem to tie very closely together.

Considering this fact, my action plan is as follows. Believe and obey. I know! This is ground breaking for a believer. Whoever thought believers actually believe? So as I study through Scripture I will be asking myself sincerely, "Do I believe this?" I want to challenge the beliefs in my life with the word of God. I want to see the Spirit at work in me.

What application are you implementing?