When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22).
They’re called watershed moments. Critical turning points. They’re moments in time when nothing that follows will ever be the same as before. And for the most significant of those, we may spend a lifetime unpacking what actually changed.
The watershed experience in the life of Jesus described above – when He was baptized – reminds me of the most significant watershed experience you or I could have – the day Jesus comes to indwell our lives. And just as the experience of Jesus was a triune experience, with the Holy Spirit descending and the Father affirming, so, too was mine. And the same is true for you, if you have trusted Him as your Lord and Savior.
Just what did you receive at conversion?
The Presence of the Son
The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world. Jesus! Lord supreme, and sacrifice for sins. His indwelling presence represents to you the total forgiveness for your sin, total justification for your life, and a relationship with your Creator. He is the God-man, the bridge that spans time and eternity, God and man. And He lives in you!
The Pleasure of the Father
“You are My beloved Son,” He says. “In You I am well-pleased.” He still is! And now that Son lives in you. In receiving the life of the Son, you have received the pleasure of the Father as well. You no longer have to wonder, bargain, or work for such pleasure, because it’s not based on your performance. You already have it, and can rest securely in that.
The Power of the Spirit
It was after the Spirit descended on Jesus that He began His miracle-working ministry. The same is true in your life. The power to live purely, redemptively, lovingly, supernaturally, all comes from Him. And when you received the Holy Spirit, you received all of Him – with all His attendant power. Failure to display that power is due to your not cultivating it, not His.
The Outworking of It All
In a sense, the Christian life is an outworking of those three facets of relationship to God. Each speaks to every situation you may face. Whatever your day presents, you go with the promise of the Son’s presence, the Father’s pleasure, and the Spirit’s power. You are free to love and express grace to others because the grace-giver indwells you. You are free from the opinions of people, or any attempts to please people, because your ultimate pleasure source is the God of Heaven. And you have power to discern, power to respond, power to overcome, power to intercede because of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Here’s a simple, practical application. Let’s assume in the next day or so you have a lunch appointment with Charley (guy or girl, pick one). It’s a business lunch, but Charley is also a believer, and, you hope, a developing friend. In your time together, you can be refreshed, challenged, taught, or simply blessed.
Let’s assume that Charley also knows enough about you to know that you haven’t always been exactly Jesus-in-a-suit (or skirt). You may feel a need to try hard to impress Charley by what you say or do. You may be tempted to find in Charley the affirmation you want or need that you’re an OK person.
Or… you could show up to lunch resting in your identity of being accepted in Christ. You could approach Charley as someone who is greatly forgiven and indwelt by the Son of God. As one who lives under the pleasure of the Father, you don’t have to try to impress Charley for my security or identity. You can instead be a reminder of God’s grace and pleasure toward him or her. You can identify and celebrate with the presence of the Son in Charley. And in the power of the Spirit, you can be free to sense the direction of God in your conversation, free to encourage and/or communicate truth.
A triune God, indwelling you, in one ordinary, yet extraordinary lunch appointment. That’s life on this side of the Watershed.
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This post was cause for great rejoicing! Thank you for the inspiration, Andy!
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