Warmth
Remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage…
1 John 2:28 NLT
Picture sitting by a warm fire ablaze, roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate on a cool winter evening with family and friends. Enjoying sweet fellowship is a delightful moment most people cherish. The warmth of the fire and love for each other encourages our hearts.
This visual image of warmth helps describe the internal spiritual feeling of holy hearts …
They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he (Jesus) was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32 CSB).
Often spiritual things are different from the physical world and can be hard to explain, but in this passage, Luke describes hearts as ablaze, like on fire or a warmth within. This feeling is something you and I can relate to. It is a feeling from the Holy Spirit when He gives spiritual knowledge.
The Holy Spirit helps me know the correct things taught of God, countering the enemy who constantly works to lead me the wrong way. The enemy can appear in different forms, speaking lies to try to lead me astray, even with strange wrong thoughts that enter my mind. There is no peace with those wrong thoughts.
In my experience, the Holy Spirit causes a holy warmth, a burning feeling, of being enlightened or a clarity when I am accurately taught by the Word of God. Using Scripture, the Spirit inspires living the right way and gives a trail of clues. Here are a few mentioned in 1 John 2 NLT:
The child of God… obeys God’s commandments (Verse 4).
The child of God… shows a complete love of God by keeping His commands (Verse 5).
The child of God… loves God’s other children, other Christians (Verse 7-9).
The child of God… doesn’t cause other Christians to stumble (Verse 10).
The child of God… has God’s word living in her heart and has won the battle with the evil one (Verse 14).
The child of God… has the Holy Spirit and knows the truth (Verse 20).
The child of God… remains in fellowship with Christ, so that when He returns, she will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame (Verse 28).
These are things done continuously by the help of the Holy Spirit, not by my own ability or self-control. These are clues that I am living God’s right way with a holy heart.
If you struggle with knowing God’s path, seek the Lord while He is near to you and trust His Holy Spirit to lead you. It will match the Word of God, the Holy Bible.
Father, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me whispering, “Child, trust Me, know My Word, and listen to My Spirit within You to find the right path.” Lord, help me listen and follow You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Stacy A. Davis
