“IN THE SPIRIT”
Lewis J Chellberg
Revelation 1: 9-10
John 14: 15-17, 25-26
I would like to draw attention to what John says in Revelation as to being “in the Spirit”. There are several other verses as to the Spirit in the section in John, and I was not sure which verses exactly to read, but I am exercised as to this thought of being “in the Spirit” that we have in Revelation 1. I would just say (to myself more than anyone) that it is a state that we should desire to be in more. I do not think it is something that was exclusively for John. It is a state that we can enter into, and should enter into.
So what does it mean to be “in the Spirit”? I am sure there are a lot of ways we could look at it and there may be thoughts that come to mind which would be good to follow up, but I believe that primarily the Spirit desires to direct our thoughts to the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what the Spirit's attention is upon, if I can put it that way speaking reverently; that is what His focus is on. Being “in the Spirit” is a state when we are entirely focused on Jesus, on Christ. We are not thinking of ourselves, not thinking of our need, not even thinking so much of God in a general sense, but thinking of Jesus specifically, that divine Person. I am sure the brethren know well the verse in Hebrews 12: 2. There is a footnote there about looking on Jesus, having our eyes fixed on Him and it speaks of ‘fixing the eye exclusively on one’, that is on one person, on one thing. I think, to put it simply, that that is what being “in the Spirit” is. I am sure there is a wider thought than that, but I would like to speak simply about this because the thought is that we can be in that state and should be in that state more.
I read these other verses as to the Spirit to expand a little on this thought. He is given this title of Comforter. As we know, there is a helpful footnote here too; it speaks about one who helps us as to our affairs here on earth, see footnote John 14: 16. That is what the Spirit does, He helps us; He is a divine Person sent to help us, and I think in relation to being “in the Spirit”, the Spirit Himself will help us in that, in being in that state! If we focus our eyes, focus our attention, and focus our thoughts on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit will help us from within. As it says here, “he abides with you, and shall be in you”. Speaking for myself at least, I do not appreciate enough what that means that He shall “be in you”. It is not just that He is a divine Person we can call upon for help (although we can), but He is in us. I think that is important to draw to our attention being “in the Spirit”. He will help us from within. If we focus our attention on the Lord Jesus Christ, to put it simply and carefully, He does the rest. The Spirit will help us to be in that state.
We read further in John 14: 26, that “he shall teach you all things, and will bring to your remembrance all the things which I have said to you”. It is important to note that it says, “all things” twice in this verse. The Spirit is so great that He can bring to us everything that God desires to open up! He can help us understand everything - this whole book, the whole Bible, the whole of Scripture, the whole truth. The Spirit is the One who can help us and will help us understand all things. Our part and responsibility in that (and how we make room for the Spirit, which we speak about a lot), requires that we focus our attention on Jesus, on Christ. I think that is the key to all of it.
In relation to how we apply these things currently, one thing would be in relation to our meetings together, and also specifically in relation to the Lord’s supper. Being “in the Spirit” is important, particularly in relation to that occasion. Again, the way that we do that is by focusing our attention and our thoughts on Jesus. The Spirit will help us from within to become in that state of being “in the Spirit”. That will open up everything else to us, “all things” as it says. Additionally, in relation to our walk here (our pathway), and things that we might need help with, decisions that we might need to make, or situations where we might look for God's will to be made known, focusing our attention on Jesus is how we get through those things and receive divine direction. It is not so much that we are looking for a specific answer to what we think we need (although it is right to look for an answer to prayer), but I think our focus should simply be on the Lord Jesus Christ. Then we can be in that state of being “in the Spirit”. That is when God speaks to us and can open things up to us, as it says again, “all things”.
I say these few things that we may be encouraged to make room for the Spirit and be “in the Spirit” more by focusing our attention on Christ, for His Name’s sake.
Word in a Ministry Meeting, Wheaton
8th February 2024