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The word Gospel is used about 124 times in the New Testament. The first time we see the word Gospel is in Matthew 4:23 and is repeated in Mark 1:35–39; Luke 4:44; 6:17–19, “23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.” You see, Jesus came preaching the Kingdom, the Kingdom assumes that there is a king, and that king is Jesus! Jesus is described as the King of kings and the Lord of lords in several places in the Bible, and one place is Revelation 17:14, … for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”(Also, in 1 Timothy 6:15).

So here is the dilemma: Do we hunger and thirst for the promises of God, or do we pursue the one whom God has sent, Jesus Christ, who is also God in the flesh, or God incarnate?

Have faith in God!

Now here is a thought: When you believe the TRUTH about God, the windows of heaven will be open to you! An important truth is that we must embrace all that God has provided in Jesus, who is our salvation, and His Holy Spirit, which is the seal of our salvation and enables us to be more than conquerors in this life. 

The Trinity

While the word trinity does not appear in the Bible, theologians coined the term to explain that the Godhead exists in three persons. God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit; three persons in one. The Trinity is a concept that is difficult to comprehend as human beings because as humans, we are limited in our ability to understand the awesome power and nature of our Father in heaven. 

Think about it, can you really understand or even imagine how God created the universe by simply speaking it into existence? When we encounter a truth we cannot fully comprehend, the Bible teaches that we must accept it by faith! I’m reminded of the verse in Isaiah chapter 55 that states that God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways and thoughts or sometimes beyond our comprehension; therefore, we must receive them by faith. That means we don’t walk by our understanding; we walk in what God has revealed as true in His word, the Bible. This is what faith is built upon! Think about it, if you can comprehend it then you don’t need faith, it is logical, and you are able to grasp it. However, when God makes a promise that is so glorious and magnificent, yet you don’t know how it will be possible… that’s when faith kicks in. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:7, “We walk by faith and not by sight.”

For example, every day we trust things we cannot fully explain. Most people do not understand how electricity works, yet they confidently flip a switch expecting the light to come on. In a similar way, faith means trusting what God has revealed even when our human understanding is limited.

Another example a pilot flying through thick clouds cannot rely solely on what he sees outside the window. He must trust the instruments guiding the aircraft. Likewise, believers must trust God’s Word, which is our instrument, even when circumstances appear confusing or uncertain.

There are three attributes that belong to God alone: 

1. God is omnipotent. He is all-powerful; nothing or no one is equal to Him in power and authority. He created the universe by simply speaking it into existence.
2. God is omniscient. He is all-knowing. There is nothing that He does not know. God does not learn, as humans learn. He simply knows! He is not limited by time and space. He knows the past, the present, and the future.

Practical Illustration: Human knowledge constantly changes. Doctors revise treatments, technology becomes outdated, and people forget important details. God, however, never learns new information or discovers something He did not previously know. His wisdom is perfect and eternal.

• God is omnipresent. This means again that He is not limited by time and space, therefore, can be anywhere anytime, everywhere at the same time, and no place is hidden from him.

As we study the Bible, we find that these three characteristics, His omnipotent power, His omniscient knowledge, and His omnipresence, can be attributed to God the Father or Yahweh, to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Since as Christians, we believe in only one God, the God of the Bible, the one God exists eternally in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Because God is infinite and we are finite, this concept of the Trinity is impossible to understand, and so by faith we must accept it as true.

Three in One

God the Father; in the Old Testament He was called Yahweh or Jehovah. Now, God, the Father is Spirit, John 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Exodus 33:20, “and no one has seen His Face because God said that no man shall see my face and live.” So, no one can see God the Father.

God the Son is not some lesser person in the Godhead. Jesus is God incarnate who came to the earth with “skin on.” The term incarnate means in the flesh. Jesus is not simply a good man or a prophet of God; He is all of that, and more He is God. 

Theologians use the term co-equal to describe the relationship between the three parts of the Trinity. Earlier I used the word incarnate to describe Jesus, God in the flesh. Now, listen to what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 2:6-8, “who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (ESV). Jesus laid aside His deity to be an example to us as a human being. That doesn’t mean that He was not God; what it does mean is that for 33 ½ years He functioned as a human being. No different from you or me, Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, pain, and the rejection of many. He never resorted to His divine authority even while on the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do!” Luke 23:24. He fulfilled His mission on earth and now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. 

For example, when believers go through seasons of loneliness, rejection, grief, or physical suffering, they can take comfort in knowing that Jesus personally understands human pain. He is not distant from our struggles; He walked through them Himself.

Even His disciples didn’t realize who He was until after the resurrection. Listen to this exchange between Jesus and Philip in John 14:7-11, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”

Jesus’ statement is obvious. If you see me, you see the Father! Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus then says, if you can’t believe that we are one, then believe that I am from the Father because only God can promise salvation, heal the sick, and raise the dead, and I have done all these things.

God, the Holy Spirit, the third part of the Trinity.

The Holy Spirit was in the beginning, Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” The Holy Spirit is found in many places in the Old Testament, but it is not until we read the New Testament that we see the fullness of the character and the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. 

Recall from scripture that Jesus promised to send us a “Paraclete”, which is Greek for comforter, helper, advocate, and teacher. He promised that after He was resurrected, He would send us the Holy Spirit. He would not leave us as orphans! John 16:7, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Paracletos) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” The Holy Spirit is mentioned about 119 times in the New Testament alone. 

For example, a loving parent does not abandon a child to face life alone. In the same way, Jesus did not save believers and then leave them helpless. Through the Holy Spirit, God continually guides, comforts, convicts, and strengthens His people daily.

Personally, as for me, I like to think of the Trinity in this way:

1. I am a son to my parents. As such, my parents see me as a son.
2. I am a husband to my wife. Therefore, my wife sees me as a husband and not a son.
3. I am a father to my children. My children don’t see me as a son or a husband but as a father. 

In each of these three roles, I function differently and have authority depending on how each of these three groups sees me, yet I am still just one person. In a similar way, God is one; however, He functions and is seen in three different ways, depending on the relationship. 

I know that some Christians have a hard time accepting the truth of the Trinity, and if you are one of them, then I would urge you to search the scriptures for yourself. Don’t just accept what I say or rely on traditions or practices for the truth. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Remember, it is the truth that will set you free.

A Confusing Question

Before we go further with understanding that the Holy Spirit is a person, let’s look at a common and sometimes confusing question: “Do I develop a relationship with Jesus or the Holy Spirit?” The short answer is you are called to a relationship with God as a whole, the Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit—not one instead of the other.

The Christian faith teaches that God is one yet revealed in three Persons: The Father is the source and originator of all things. The Son (Jesus Christ), who is the one who provides salvation and reveals God the Father to us. The Holy Spirit is the one who dwells in you and makes God real in your daily life. These are not three separate gods, and you’re not choosing between them. You’re relating to one God experienced in three distinct ways.

One helpful way to understand the Trinity is this: I am a father to my children, a son to my parents, and a husband to my wife. I have three separate roles, each with a distinct function or purpose. My children, my parents, and my wife see me differently and relate to me differently. I am just one person. I know this is an imperfect picture of the Trinity, but I hope it helps you see that we have only one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.

Now, let’s look at each relationship we have with God.

First, your Relationship with Jesus is foundational. You are saved through Jesus. You are forgiven and reconciled to God through Him, and you follow Him as Lord. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” So, your relationship with God begins with faith in Jesus.

Next is your Relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is what makes that relationship alive and active every day. The Holy Spirit lives inside you. He guides, teaches, and convicts. He helps you understand Jesus and grow spiritually. In fact, Jesus said in John 16:7 that it was better for Him to go away so that the Holy Spirit could come. This great truth is because instead of God being beside you, He would now be within you.

Here is a simple way to understand the relationship between the two.  You come to God through Jesus. You walk with God by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will never draw attention away from Jesus—He always leads you toward Him, reminds you of His words, and helps you become more like Him.

So, we come back to the question of who do you talk to? Let’s keep it simple. You can pray to Jesus, you can talk to the Holy Spirit, and you can pray to the Father. A common biblical pattern is to pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus, by the help of the Holy Spirit!

You see, Jesus is the One who brings you into a relationship, and the Holy Spirit is the One who walks with you in that relationship every day. You don’t replace one with the other; you experience both. So, you are not choosing between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You belong to Jesus; you are filled with the Holy Spirit, and you are brought to the Father. That’s one unified relationship with God.

Let’s Examine the Scriptural Evidence That the Holy Spirit Is a Divine Person, Not Just a Power.

The Bible attributes personal characteristics to the Holy Spirit. He speaks (Acts 13:2), teaches (John 14:26), guides (Romans 8:14), and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). These are not qualities of a force; they are qualities of a person.

Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “He,” not “it.” In John 16:13, Jesus says, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” This language is deliberate. Jesus wanted His followers to understand that the Holy Spirit would relate to them personally.

1. The Holy Spirit has a mind, will, and emotions, which are characteristics of a person.

• Mind – The Spirit thinks and knows: “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)
• Will – The Spirit makes decisions: “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:11)
• Emotions – The Spirit can be grieved: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30). You can’t grieve a force!

2. The Holy Spirit Speaks, Teaches, leads, and intercedes

• The Spirit speaks to people: “Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’” (Acts 8:29)
• The Spirit teaches and reminds: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit… He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
• The Spirit leads “…as many as are led by the Spirit of God…” (Romans 8:14)
• The Spirit intercedes, “…the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us…” (Romans 8:26)

3. The Holy Spirit Can Be Lied to and Resisted

In Acts 5:3-4, Peter says Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit and then equates lying to the Spirit with lying to God—demonstrating both personality and divinity. “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?” (Acts 5:3)

Stephen rebukes the Sanhedrin for resisting the Holy Spirit “You always resist the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 7:51), again pointing to the Spirit as someone who can be opposed—not something passive or abstract.

The Holy Spirit can be insulted, “…insulted the Spirit of grace…” (Hebrews 10:29)

4. The Holy Spirit Has Relationships

The Spirit relates to the Father and the Son within the Trinity. Jesus spoke of sending the Spirit (John 15:26), showing relationship and mutual interaction. The Spirit also relates to believers—He comforts, guides, convicts, and intercedes for them (Romans 8:26).

5. The Holy Spirit Is Addressed as “He.”

Jesus consistently referred to the Spirit using personal pronouns: “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13)

If the Holy Spirit were merely a power, then the goal would be to “use” Him—to access His strength for personal benefit. But because He is a Person, the goal is relationship. We are not meant to use the Holy Spirit; we are meant to walk with Him. This difference is important. Many believers seek God’s power but neglect intimacy with God. Yet true spiritual strength flows out of a relationship. Just as a friendship deepens through time, communication, and trust, so too does our relationship with the Holy Spirit grow through prayer, obedience, and attentiveness.

The Role of The Holy Spirit in Daily Life

Seeing the Holy Spirit as a Person opens the door to daily interaction. He is not distant; He is present and active.

1. He comforts in times of trouble (John 14:16)
2. He convicts of sin and leads to truth (John 16:8)
3. He empowers for righteous living (Galatians 5:16)
4. He intercedes in prayer (Romans 8:26)

These scriptural examples show deeply relational roles. A force cannot comfort or intercede—but a Person can.

How To Cultivate a Relationship with The Holy Spirit

Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit begins with awareness. Many believers live as though God is distant, yet Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells within them. 1 Corinthians 6:19 states, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” This means that His presence is constant, not occasional.

Awareness of the Holy Spirit transforms daily life. It turns routine moments into opportunities for fellowship. Whether in prayer, work, or quiet reflection, you can acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence and invite His involvement in your everyday life.

Communication: Speaking and Listening

Like any relationship, communication is essential. Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit involves both speaking to Him and listening for His voice. Prayer becomes more than a one-sided request; it becomes a conversation. The believer speaks honestly, shares burdens, expresses gratitude, and seeks guidance. At the same time, listening is equally important. The Holy Spirit often speaks through Scripture, inner conviction, and gentle promptings.

Developing sensitivity to His voice requires patience and consistency. Over time, you learn to discern His leading more clearly, recognizing the difference between His guidance and one’s own personal thoughts.

Obedience: Responding to His Leading

A relationship with the Holy Spirit deepens through obedience. When He convicts, guides, or prompts action, your response matters. Obedience strengthens trust and increases spiritual sensitivity. Ignoring or resisting His prompting can dull spiritual awareness. Scripture warns believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). This implies that the relationship is dynamic and responsive. Just as in human relationships, responsiveness produces closeness.

Obedience is not about perfection but about willingness. Each step of faith builds a stronger connection and a deeper reliance on Him.

Fellowship Through Scripture

The Holy Spirit works closely with the Word of God. He illuminates Scripture, bringing understanding and application to your life. Reading the Bible is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a relational encounter. As believers engage with Scripture, the Holy Spirit reveals truth, convicts of sin, and encourages growth. This interaction strengthens the relationship, as you learn to recognize His voice and align with His will.

Dependence and Surrender

Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit requires surrender. Rather than striving in personal strength, believers are called to depend on Him. This dependence is expressed in daily choices—seeking His guidance, trusting His wisdom, and yielding control. Surrender does not weaken you; it empowers them. The Holy Spirit provides strength, wisdom, and direction beyond human ability. As dependence grows, so does the depth of the relationship.

A genuine relationship with the Holy Spirit produces visible fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). These qualities are not achieved through effort alone but are the natural result of walking in close relationship with the Holy Spirit. As you abide in Him, transformation occurs from the inside out.

Conclusion

The only conclusion one can draw is that the Holy Spirit is not merely a divine power or mystical energy. He is a divine person—the third Person of the Trinity—who loves, speaks, teaches, feels, and relates.

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force to be harnessed but a divine Person to be known. When believers shift from viewing Him as a power to embracing Him as a Person, their spiritual lives deepen significantly. Prayer becomes conversation. Obedience becomes cooperation. Faith becomes fellowship.

Recognizing the Spirit as a person deepens our relationship with Him and allows us to respond not just with obedience, but with fellowship and worship. You see, that is the key to obedience: a relationship and fellowship of mutual love. You love Him. He loves you. Therefore, you want to be pleasing to Him.

We see free-will in creation. Humanity was created in the image of God with the ability to obey or disobey Him. Genesis 2:16–17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Notice the commands, warnings, and consequences indicate that a real choice is an option.

While free-will is available, God repeatedly calls people to choose obedience through faith. Look at the following two scriptures and see that choice is ours to make:

• Moses said to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 30:19, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”
• Joshua states in Joshua 14:15, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

As I have said, choice was available even before sin entered the world through Adam and Eve; remember, they chose to disobey God and took of the forbidden fruit. Human-will became corrupted but not eliminated. People still choose, but tend toward sin apart from God’s grace

• Jesus points out in John 8:34 that before being born-again, we are slaves to sin: “Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” Only faith in Jesus can break the bondage of sin.
• The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 7:18-19, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” Paul acknowledged that, apart from the grace of God and His Holy Spirit, he could not stop sinning.

Scripture teaches that humans plan and choose, yet God ultimately directs outcomes. Look at Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” The Bible teaches that both truths can exist together: man’s plans and God’s will. The issue is God’s perfect will or His permissive will. Do we choose the Lord’s way or the hard way, either way, God’s plans will be fulfilled.

WHAT IS GOD’S WILL? Let us begin withRomans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”God’s will is always good and righteous, yet Scripture reveals that it is experienced in two distinct ways: God’s perfect will and God’s permissive will.

GOD’S PERFECT WILL, what God desires and delights in, is accomplished through obedience. God’s perfect will brings peace, fruitfulness, and fulfillment with His purposes. I would encourage you to search out the scriptures mentioned below:

Jesus Christ is the greatest example of complete obedience and surrender to the Father’s will. Jesus fully submitted to the Father’s will, even when it involved suffering and death. Jesus said in Luke 22:42, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Jesus understood that He was to be the “once and for all” sacrifice for sin and death, and that no one else could accomplish that mission. For Jesus it was all joy to yield and obey the Father, Hebrews 12:2, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Joseph (Son of Jacob), Scripture: Genesis 39–50. Joseph consistently chose righteousness—resisting temptation and trusting God, even through injustice. God’s plan unfolded without moral compromise, resulting in blessing and reconciliation.Genesis 50:20, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” All the hardship Joseph endured was for God’s purpose to deliver His chosen people, and Joseph was ultimately glorified in it.

Daniel, Scripture: Daniel 6, Daniel refused to abandon prayer and obedience, even under threat of death. God honored his faithfulness with divine protection and public testimony.Listen to what Daniel said to King Darius after his encounter in the lion’s den. Daniel 6:22, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Having integrity before the Lord in fulfilling His purpose means that God will intervene in our circumstances.

Mary (Mother of Jesus), Scripture: Luke 1:38, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”When the angel of the Lord revealed God’s incredible plan, Mary accepted God’s calling without resistance, giving us an example of humble submission to God’s perfect will.

GOD’S PERMISSIVE WILL is what God allows due to human choice or partial obedience, and the consequences. God’s permissive will allows human choice but often results in correction, delay, or loss. Here are some very brief examples. I would encourage you to search out the scriptures mentioned below:

The Exodus, the forty-year journey, best describes God’s permissive will. The Journey from Egypt to Canaan should have taken weeks, but God led them in an extended exodus that took forty years. This extended journey was necessary because of the Israelites’ lack of faith in God. Time and time again, they complained and demonstrated their lack of trust in God, even when God supplied them with Manna to eat, water to drink, and preserved them from their enemies. As you can read in the Book of Exodus, God’s purpose was fulfilled in the end, but at a great price for those who walked by sight instead of faith! Such is God’s permissive will; there is always a price to pay.

Samson, Scripture: Judges 13–16.Samson repeatedly ignored God’s moral boundaries. Though God used him to deliver Israel, Samson’s compromises led to loss of freedom, strength, and life.

Jonah, Scripture: Jonah 1–4.Jonah fled from God’s command to preach to Nineveh. God allowed Jonah’s resistance but corrected him through chastisement, having him swallowed by a whale. God’s purpose was fulfilled, but Jonah endured unnecessary hardship.

Israel’s Demand for a King, the people of Israel wanted to be like their neighboring countries and have a king, thereby, rejecting their King who is God. 1 Samuel 8:7, “And the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.’”

King Saul, Scripture: 1 Samuel 13 & 15.Saul partially obeyed God and feared people more than God. Though allowed to reign, his disobedience resulted in the loss of his kingdom.1 Samuel 15:22, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.”

GOD ALLOWS HIS PERMISSIVE WILL so that we can make a choice. The Lord’s blessings come with obedience and trust.

Choose to Live in God’s Perfect Will Today

1. Ephesians 5:17, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Believers are encouraged to seek God’s perfect will through the Holy Spirit as we read the Bible, obey, pray, and renew our minds.

Scripture consistently calls believers to seek and walk in His perfect will. Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

THE LOVE MOTIVATION FOR OBEDIENCE. Before closing, I want to take a moment to clarify our motivation, or why we should obey the Lord. It is not simply about fear, avoiding pain, or even receiving blessings; it should be an expression of our love for Jesus. 1 John 4:19. “We love Him because He first loved us.”

The motivation for our choices in the Lord should always be love. Obviously, even natural love requires the freedom to choose; in the same way, biblical love is not forced. God desires willing obedience rooted in love. As Believers, Jesus makes it clear that we must be motivated by love in all we do in His name. Matthew 22:37–39, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The kind of love Jesus is talking about is “agape” love, which is based on a decision to love, not necessarily an emotionally driven love. In other words, God doesn’t love us because we are lovable, but because He decided to love us! This kind of love requires a decision to love regardless of the circumstances; this is the essence of agape love; it is undeserved and unearned. It is this agape love, developed through our relationship with Jesus, that enables the Holy Spirit to help us love the Lord and others. In John 13:34, Jesus gave His disciples a “new commandment”: to love one another as He has loved them, establishing a pattern of sacrificial, divine love.

As people, we struggle to keep the commandment to love, but through faith in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are enabled to live lives of love for God and others.

IN CONCLUSION, the prophet Jeremiah, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, spoke a word of encouragement to a nation confused and aimless. Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This statement remains true for us today, but we must make the right choices. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

The Bible teaches the importance of putting “First Things First.”

Scripture consistently shows that order matters to God, and blessing follows when you are aligned with Him. Here are three examples of putting God first.

1. Seek God Before Everything Else

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Jesus teaches that spiritual priorities must come before material concerns. God does not deny our needs; He promises to supply them when we put His kingdom first.

2. Build the Foundation Before the Work

Proverbs 24:27, “Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house.” God values preparation and order. The unseen groundwork determines the strength and success of what follows.

3. Obedience and Relationship Before Sacrifice

1 Samuel 15:22, “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” God prioritizes obedience and relationship over religious activity. Busy service cannot replace a surrendered heart.

When we put first things first, God before all else, our labor is aligned with His purpose and bears lasting fruit. Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” Rest in the assurance that the Lord prepares the worker for the task,

Think of rest as an opportunity to “reset.” It is like your phone that is always running apps in the background. Even when you are not using it, the battery is draining. On top of that, some of the apps don’t function as they did. You know the first thing you should do is “reset” the phone; turn it off, then turn it back on. That simple act can save you a lot of stress and grief! 

Many believers live like that—always running, always striving, never fully at rest. Jesus steps into that exhaustion with a simple invitation to reset. The New Testament presents rest not as an escape from life, but as a new way to live—anchored in faith, grace, and a living relationship with Jesus Christ. It is an opportunity to examine what is not going right, and connect with the One who can reset you, Jesus! Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God;…”

The Meaning of “Rest” in the New Testament

1. Rest as Relief from Burden 

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

These words were spoken to people crushed by religious expectations. The Pharisees had added layers of rules to God’s law, turning obedience into a heavy burden. People were exhausted, not refreshed. It’s like carrying a backpack filled with rocks. Each rule, each expectation, each failure adds another stone. Jesus doesn’t remove a few rocks. He offers to carry the pack Himself.

When Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you,” He is inviting a relationship, not religion. Jesus does not invite them to try harder. He invites them to come into His presence. You see, rest begins with a Person, not a principle. When Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you,” He is not offering another system of law. A yoke joins two together. Jesus is saying, “Walk with Me. Let Me carry the weight.” His yoke is easy because He bears what we could never carry ourselves.

2. Rest is entered as Faith, Not Works or Effort 

Hebrews 4:1-11 is such an important passage that explains what the Lord means by the word “rest.” The main idea of this passage is that God offers a real “rest” that goes beyond the Promised Land or the Sabbath day. That rest is entered by faith, trusting God, not by self-effort, and it is still available “today.” The passage warns us that it is possible to be religious, busy, and knowledgeable—and still not resting in God. We can attend church, serve faithfully, and still live with anxiety if we are relying on ourselves instead of Christ.

The promise of rest still stands. Hebrews 4:1-2 says, “1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” The writer warns believers not to fall short of God’s promised rest, as Israel did. Israel heard God’s message, but it did not benefit them because it was not joined with faith. Hearing the truth is not enough; even knowing the truth is not enough. We must receive the truth and do it with trusting obedience as the Holy Spirit leads us. For example, you can look at a chair all day, admire it, study it, but rest only happens when you actually sit down. Faith is sitting down in what Christ has already done. Entering rest requires letting go of self-reliance and trusting wholly in what Christ has done.

Hebrews 4:3-5 tells us that God’s rest started in creation, “3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: ‘So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” This sounds a little complicated, but God’s “rest” is rooted in creation: God rested on the seventh day because His work was complete not because He was tired or exhausted. So, the rest offered here is not merely a location (like Canaan) or a ritual day but sharing in God’s completed work and living from trust rather than striving. Those who persist in unbelief are warned that they will not enter God’s rest.

The invitation is still called “Today.” Hebrews 4:6-7, “6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” Because some failed to enter, God sets another opportunity. Long after Moses and even after Joshua, God still says, “Today.” That means the offer remains open, but it is urgent: respond while your heart is willing.

A greater rest than the Promised Land. Hebrews 4:8-10, “8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Joshua led Israel into the land, but that was not the final rest God intended. A deeper “Sabbath-rest” remains for God’s people. To enter this rest is to stop trying to establish our standing with God by our own works and instead rest in what God has done, through the cross of Calvary, which was ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Persevere in faith. Hebrews 4:11, “11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” The command to be “diligent” is not a call to earn salvation, but to persevere in genuine faith. True faith keeps trusting and obeying, refusing the pattern of unbelief that hardened Israel in the wilderness.

From Hebrews 4:1-11 we see three important things:

• Salvation rest—trusting God rather than our works; Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
• Daily rest—peace and stability that comes from walking with God. John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
• Final rest—eternal rest with God. Jesus says in John 3:15, “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Let’s take a closer look at these three truths:

1. Rest as Salvation in Christ 

Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is foundational rest. Salvation settles the greatest question of all: our standing before God. The debt of sin is paid. The verdict is final. We are no longer trying to earn acceptance; we already have it in Christ.

Imagine a courtroom where the judge declares, “Paid in full.” Yet the defendant stays standing, still pleading. Many believers do that spiritually. Rest means sitting down after the verdict. A believer does not work for salvation but works from salvation. That shift from striving to security is the heart of New Testament rest. If salvation brings rest, why do so many believers still live under pressure?

2. Rest as Freedom from the Law’s Condemnation 

Galatians 3:24-25, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” A tutor is not the teacher; the tutor is responsible for the child’s education and brings the child to the teacher. The Law is the tutor, and the Law brings us to the teacher, Jesus Christ.

Paul explains that the Law was a tutor designed to lead us to Christ, not a place to live permanently. Once faith has come, we are no longer under that tutor.

Trying to live under the Law after coming to Christ produces fear, guilt, and burnout. Grace produces gratitude, not laziness. Rest does not remove obedience; it changes the motive for obedience. We do not obey to be accepted, but because we are accepted, we obey.

The Law is like a mirror. It shows dirt on your face, but the Law cannot wash it off. Grace does the washing. This brings us to the question of how rest shapes daily Christian living.

3. Rest as Ongoing Life in the Spirit 

Hebrews 4:9-10 says, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.”

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” This rest is both present and future.

• It is future in that we look forward to eternal rest with Christ.
• It is present in that we cease striving to justify ourselves. Jesus has done that for us.
• Walking in the Spirit means living daily from a place of trust—trusting God’s grace, God’s timing, and God’s power. A child sleeping in a car does not worry about directions or fuel. The parent handles that. Spirit-led rest trusts God with the journey.

Conclusion

New Testament rest is not inactivity; it is confidence. It is the settled assurance that Christ has done what we could not do. True rest is found not in a day, not in a system, and not in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ. Jesus still invites us today: “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” May we not only hear that invitation but live in it every day.