More Than Fire Insurance | Northlands Church

More Than Fire Insurance

May 02, 2017 | Jenny Lynn

More Than Fire Insurance

by: Jenny Lynn

Jesus’s death and resurrection was about much more than just fire insurance. He engineered a way for His Presence to abide in us day in and day out. His love, didn't leave us to flounder around trying to do good and be good until we die. Jesus sent Holy Spirit to each believer, reminding us of truth and equipping us with power to walk righteously, reflecting His glory on this Earth.

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

The story of Jesus - His life, death, resurrection, and ascension - is about far more than fire insurance. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus took all the wrath and punishment due to us for our sin and paid for it with his own life, securing for us an eternal future with our Heavenly Father. What love, what grace! But honestly, most days eternity can feel like a very distant future reward. How do we get from here to there well?

Jesus not only secured for us an eternal future, but made a way for His presence to be in us and with us every day of our lives on this Earth. Beyond dealing with sin, Jesus restored the perpetual connection between God and man that was severed long ago by sending Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7”.

Holy Spirit is a conduit between us and God, unhindered and unbroken by sin or circumstance. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13). Why does this matter? Because it guarantees our daily victory! Jesus’s resurrection defeated death, securing our eternal victory. But His ascension and impartation of Holy Spirit secures our daily victory. “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Cor. 1:21-22).

As Christians, we are invited into a connection with God that equips us through the constant nudging, prompting, and tugging of Holy Spirit to see and respond to circumstances as a victor rather than a victim. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). To be led by Holy Spirit means we are infused with the wisdom, creativity, and power of Heaven resulting in victory. In short, we always win! “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). He speaks the Father’s words to our hearts and minds, equipping us to walk righteously, love radically, forgive quickly and serve generously. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). Holy Spirit lets us in on the plans of God and shares Heaven’s solutions to the problems we face.

With the same awe and gratitude that we embrace Jesus’s gift of eternal life, let’s embrace His gift of Holy Spirit. “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Compelled by the same love that led Him to the cross, Jesus engineered a plan that would allow His presence to abide in each of our individual hearts day in and day out. His love, didn’t leave us to flounder around trying to do good and be good until we leave Earth and enter Heaven. His love is constantly being poured into us, in the midst of daily highs and lows, through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,“The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you” (John 14:26).

Prayer

Jesus thank you for doing exceedingly more than we have even imagined when you died on the cross, rose again, and ascended into Heaven.  Thank you for a constant connection with you through your gift of Holy Spirit. Thank you for reminding us who we are, what you’ve said, and how you love us through the Holy Spirit inside of us.  We ask today for even greater sensitivity to the leadership of Holy Spirit on a daily basis. We want to hear your words and feel your nudges, so that in all circumstances we may reflect your glory in this world.

© 2024 Northlands Church and Jenny Lynn. Permission to share so long as credit is given.