After a football game this past weekend, one of the main players contributing to his team’s victory said more than once in the interview, “I’m so thankful for this opportunity. I just didn’t want to let my teammates down. I just didn’t want to let my teammates down.”
Especially when it comes to people we care about, we hate the thought of causing them sadness, offending them, or inconveniencing them in any way.
The Holy Spirit does a great and amazing work in us that only God can do. He turns our rebellious natural heart into a heart of faith and love for the Lord. And then he watches all those he has converted to see how they are living in their spiritual lives.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)
These are the things that make the Spirit sad, make the Spirit grieve, even offend the Spirit of God. Bitterness. Rage. Anger. Brawling. Slander. Every form of malice. As people who have been sealed by the Spirit for eternity, we want to get rid of all those things so we don’t let him down.
Now, of course, that’s a warning. The law. “The Spirit is watching. Don’t grieve the Spirit.” Our true gospel driver for kindness, forgiveness and compassion is the loving, fragrant sacrifice of Jesus for us all.
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)