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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
It is generally acknowledged that there are many differences between men and women other than gender. There is a wonderful mystery about the relationship of the three - men, women and God. Specifically God the Holy Spirit. God embodies all the facets of both masculine and famine personalities. After all, He created both. Both are combined also in the Holy Spirit's ability to relate to both.
When Jesus ascended back to heaven after His resurrection, He had promised the disciples "another Comforter" {KJV), who would be in them and with them always - forever. Now that Jesus has returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit is the Agent of God for all things spiritual on earth. This is especially so regarding those who belong to Jesus, and living their calling to salvation.
During Jesus's earthly ministry there were many women who ministered to Him, traveled with Him, and supported Him financially. Details are recorded concerning only a few. Mary and Martha had recorded discussions with Him. The first person to see Jesus after His resurrection was a woman - Mary Magdalene. She was the first messenger to the other disciples to witness to His resurrection (John 20:16-18). He understood and taught and honored the women who believed in Him, just He did men. The woman who anointed His feet was predicted by Jesus to be spoken of throughout history. He understood, and knew what was in women just as He knew what was in man. The only difference was in the anointed roles each was called to fill throughout the future.
Jesus ministered equally with both men and women. A close examination of the Gospels reveals this, even though the position of women within the Jewish community was restricted in many ways. Although Jesus was fully a man, as well as fully God, He ministered equally to women and men. The Holy Spirit is neither "masculine" nor "feminine", since He is not human as Jesus once was. As the God-Agent concerning all affairs of God on earth after the ascension of Jesus, He possesses all the elements and distinctives of both man and woman as to insight and understanding of the natures of both men and women.
He is God in us as God's children. Therefore, He can relate to women and men exactly according to the distinctives of women, and to men exactly according to the destinctives of men. When the Holy Spirit speaks to the heart of women, He can speak as the heart of women would speak and understand. He completely understands all things feminine. He communicates with the heart of men in exactly the same understanding of a man, and completely knows all things of men.
Being capable of such, He understands the differences, and relates to each accordingly, as He lives in both men and women. The Holy Spirit knows and ministers to both men and women according to the gender, equally in every way. He knows the common sensitivities and tenderness of women. He knows how to empathize with women as no other can. He knows the proclivities of manliness in men, and can relate perfectly, and knows the heart of the man as no other can. The Holy Spirit loves and knows men and women equally.
He can relate perfectly on a woman's level, and on a man's level. He is fully God, and knows both men and women fully, and without partiality. When the Holy Spirit listens to a man, He understands the man. When He listens to a woman, He listens as a woman would listen - and understands as a woman needs to be understood. When He answers, He answers accordingly. He adapts to the differing needs of those who differ - men and women. He is God, and represents God to all, according to how He made all. As God, He knows all things concerning both men and women equally. He is in both, to guide, council, direct, encourage and comfort.
God the Holy Spirit will meet both - men and women - where they are, and as they are, as male and female. Both men and women can trust the counsel of God equally because of the limitless, all knowing ministry of the Holy Spirit. There are no spiritual bridges for the Holy Spirit to cross between men and women. Equal guidance. Equal help. Equal love. All according to who you are - man or woman. And He will be with each, and in each, forever (John 14:16-17). Men and women are completely equal in the heart of God - across the board. No exceptions.
How great, and loving, and wonderful, is your utterly impartial God!
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise." - Galatians 3:26-29 (AMP)
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