Today, our topic is to consider what it means:
The communion of the Spirit in Adonai Yeshua
In order to live in the communion of the Spirit with our Savior, we must be born again through his eternal word and the Holy Spirit. I have covered this topic in more detail in my two previous Shabatical studies, so check them out or at least my previous one.
When we live in communion with Adonai Yeshua, we follow him and strive to be obedient to him in everything. It often brings us into collision with people who live and walk in the spirit of this world! This is why it is written that cowards will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Rev. 21:8
>>But the fearful (cowards), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.<<
So how can we become brave when we have to live even daily among people who try in every way to pressure us to abandon the faith and stop following Adonai Yeshua?
You need good advice for that
Here is some advice based on my own experience, as I have been a born-again Christian for over 50 years and during that time I have worked in numerous different jobs, in four different countries:
- Remember that you are at work in order to perform well precisely the tasks that you promised and committed to in the job interview. You are not hired to work as a missionary (unless you happen to be hired by a missionary organization). I know of cases where a person has started preaching the gospel at his workplace and got fired.
- If someone asks you about your beliefs in the presence of others, it could be a set trap. Briefly answer him that you are a firm believer in Adonai Yeshua or a Christian and suggest that you go and discuss it more deeply between the two of you, either during your lunch break or outside of work hours.
- When you start your studies at an educational institution or when you start work at your new workplace or when you move to a new apartment, pray to the Holy Spirit to show you who or which ones there are predestined for salvation by the Most High from eternity.
- When he points them out, start praying regularly for them. When he arranges for you to witness to one of them, speak only as much as the Holy Spirit prompts. Tell him more next time, because people's capacity to absorb spiritual things at once is limited.
- In Western countries, you can boldly keep the Bible on your desk and, in addition, a carefully thought-out Christian poster above your desk that fits the essence of your workplace. I have had one while working in Finland and Sweden. The posters in question have aroused curiosity in some, contempt in others and anger in some. The posters featured beautiful photo at background with a selected Bible phrase printed, such as:
a) "17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2. Kor. 4:17-18b
. At that time, 1979-82, I worked in technical development projects in a large pharmaceutical company, one of the devices was the 3rd prototype of the Transmission Electron Microscope. It was an 'Electron microscope operating on the principle of transmission of light for a clinical sample of about 0.05 mm thickness'. I received rare good feedback from my co-workers who were not believers. They all could speak fluently English. But one of them hated and despised me because of my faith.
b) "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12
. (This poster - in Swedish - was above my desk when I was working at the Volvo PV (passenger car factory) headquarters in Gothenburg 1985-90. My superiors and some of my colleagues respected me a lot for it, but one woman was seething with anger towards me.
. My new boss there also hated me because of my faith and poster. He boldly said it out loud for everyone to hear and tried to get me fired. Then one of my colleagues from the same work group arranged for me a much better job as a consultant in the computer-aided design department of Volvo PV's newest person car type (Volvo 850), where my previous supervisor had also been promoted as branch manager.)
c) "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12
. (This poster - in Finnish - was above my desk when I worked in Turku 1990-2007 in the design office of Oy Dynoplast Ab's plastic factory. Most of my supervisors and some of my colleagues respected me a lot because of it. Some of my supervisors hated me and tried to smoke me out with fabricated lies. They didn't succeed, but got themselves fired within a few years.
. However, my working there was very stressful for them for many years. That's why I had heart problems: a leak in the heart valve and a pulmonary embolism, which was only discovered after it had passed. Because of these, I got year 2010 an early pension at the age of 60. The first two years of retirement were mostly spent on physical recovery.)
What connections do we have with people?
- As a family, we should have a close relationship with our family members. It can be partly only physical and intimate, if not all family members have been born again. At its best, it can also be a spiritual connection and it is a great blessing and source of strength.
- We can have a similar relationship with our close relatives and especially our adult siblings, even if they are not born again. Our task is to carry them with prayers and try to lead them to the inner knowledge of Adonai Yeshua as their own Savior.
- When it comes to interpersonal relationships in study and working life, our relationship is quite different, although it may be quite close, especially if we live in the same apartment during the study period and study in the same class at the same educational institution. We can also enjoy the same hobbies with our study colleagues and fellow workers in our spare time.
- Connection to the local congregation is the richest and the most high form of human spiritual relationship, if all members have been born again. This is how our Creator has also designed it in his eternal plans. That is exactly why the Devil attacks this connection most fiercely! We must fight with the weapons of the Holy Spirit against him and overcome him!
Instructions regarding contact with loved ones
Apostle Paul's great instruction to the Romans is perfect for us too. Rom. 12:17-21
>>17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith Adonai. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire *) on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.<<
*) Heaping (piling) burning coals into a coal basket on the enemies' heads was a friendly act at a time when making fire was difficult. There was no thought of revenge in this act, but it was a genuine act of love.
Finally, songs suitable for the topic
Come Holy Spirit I Need You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAK0u4-0aCE
Abide With Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxPxix4JRYQ
No More Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zTYTnyvk7k
