The Calling Is Now

Preface

You may wonder who I am and why I am writing about the New Testament. I have an education in finance and my career has been predominantly focused in the financial markets. Ironically, my Christian faith increased as a result of my secular experiences. For most of my life, I was preoccupied by the ways of the world—I was focused on career, money, and selfish ambition—yet my worldly focus left me with a strong desire for truth. Had I been misusing the gifts I was given for a worldly-influenced purpose? Unsatisfied and frankly troubled by the commonly accepted ways of the world, I chose to earnestly seek Jesus’ ways instead. I surrounded myself with Jesus’ teachings and boldly held him to his promises. When I received a peace beyond understanding and an awareness of the Holy Spirit’s guidance beyond comprehension, my calling became clear. I’m compelled to assert that the New Testament’s message is as relevant as ever. As Christians, it’s vital to understand that the power of the Holy Spirit is available to us all.

Trading in financial markets provided me with what felt like a lifetime’s worth of battles between anxiety and peace, fear and ego, both in my personal life and in what I observed. I came to appreciate why peace and patience are virtues worth fully embracing. Most of all, I learned that establishing a successful process is far more important than any immediate outcome. We can’t always succeed at every step, but with a proven pathway, we will succeed in the end. When anxiety or fear dominate, they affect our ability to execute a proven process. Not only that, but when fear or anxiety are experienced over an extended period of time, they can lead to a downward spiral. Prolonged suffering (e.g., financial losses) can manifest into mental, physical, and relationship challenges. Likewise on the opposite spectrum, continued success (e.g., financial gains) can create an ego, feelings of entitlement, judgment of others, and declining morals.

Our approach to Christianity can be viewed in a similar manner. Jesus presented us with a process—a pathway—to achieving peace and a fulfilling life through the Holy Spirit. But if we live by the ways of the world in fear, doubt, worry, anxiety, greed, ego, judgment of others, immorality, or in any other behaviors outside of Jesus’ character, we will be unable to find his pathway.

Why should I believe I’m qualified to write about the New Testament? We might ask whether any of Jesus’ disciples appeared qualified. From the beginning of the New Testament, John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus, was not a religious leader in fine clothes from Jerusalem. Instead, he wore clothing made of camel’s hair and resided in the desert. Yet still, everyone from the countryside and Jerusalem went out to see him (Mark 1:4–6). Jesus chose apostles such as fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, and John), a tax collector (Matthew), a possibly violent revolutionary (Simon the Zealot), and most remarkably, a persecutor of Christians (Paul).

Perhaps in choosing the unqualified Jesus shows that any works they did were not the result of their own qualifications or strength, but were done by the work of the Holy Spirit within them. The presence and influence of the Holy Spirit would explain many of the apostles’ actions after Jesus’ death and resurrection. When they (the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law) saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). And so, God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27). When Peter first met Jesus, …he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, ‘Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ (Luke 5:8 NASB). But Peter would later become the rock upon which Jesus built his church, and Peter was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:18–19).

We all have a unique calling. This book is intended for all Christians, whether we need to be reawakened, redirected, or are seeking confirmation along the pathway to our purpose. If we choose not to seek Jesus’ ways, he gives a warning: So remember what you have received and heard ; and keep it , and repent . Therefore, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you (Rev. 3:3 NASB). ¹ Indeed, if we don’t follow the pathway Jesus has provided, he may just shake up our lives in order to get us on the right path. And it may be painful experiences that turn out to be our greatest blessings. They can be the means by which our selfish ambitions are removed, and they can direct us toward the pathway to our calling.

This is exactly what happened to me, and I have no doubt many Christians will relate. We can take the easier way, or the harder way. The most concerning disposition to have is to remain oblivious to our unique calling. So, I hope you’ll join me in this journey, and I hope this book will help you find your purpose, so that you can be confident …you also are the called of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:6 NASB).

Helpful Terms & Questions

Christianity is not static. It requires a constant spiritual maturing throughout our lives in order to fulfill our purpose. If we do not seek spiritual growth, we risk falling into these two categories:

Dormant Christians : Their Christian identity is like a heritage passed down in name only. Little understanding or practice of Jesus’ teachings is present. The majority of their actions are influenced by the ways of the world. They actually do harm to the faith because they misrepresent Christianity.

Part-time Christians : While they may be familiar with Jesus’ teachings and practice intermittently, the cares of this world, selfish desires, and the love of money disturb their relationship with God. The majority of their actions are inconsistent. Being double-minded, they behave like they have one foot in the faith and one foot in the world.

To get a better sense of your own current mindset, some general questions about Jesus’ teachings may help you understand where you stand in the faith:

Do you know God’s will and purpose for believers?

Do you know what’s included in the new covenant for which Jesus came?

Have you found the peace Jesus offers?

Who is the Holy Spirit? Why did Jesus insist on a higher standard than the Ten Commandments?

Do you know what your expected target character is? What is sin?

Can you describe several parables that particularly resonate with you?

Do you know the Beatitudes and the internal transformation they offer?

Do you wear the armor of God?

By the end of this book you will be able to answer these questions with confidence.

The following terms were created to help you better understand your faith journey, regardless of whether you may be a dormant or mature Christian. You’ll see them repeated throughout the book.

Consequential Peace : An internal peace only found as a result of a mind renewed in the knowledge and practice of Jesus’ ways. This peace is the important bond to our unity with the Holy Spirit.

Personal Unity: Since the Holy Spirit lives within each believer, this describes our individual unity with the Holy Spirit. This is the mystery of Christ in you (Col. 1:27; Rom. 8–11, 2 Cor. 13:5).

Personal Unity Battery/Degree of Unity with the Holy Spirit : The status of how weak or strong our unity with the Holy Spirit is at any point in time. If we consistently practice Jesus’ ways, our battery will be fully charged with access to the power of the Holy Spirit. If we get caught up in the ways of the world, our battery will be depleted. Markers to think about include: Do you have a Christ-like mindset? Do you have the peace of Christ?

Believer’s Works : The believer’s responsibility to put into practice Jesus’ teachings and ways, that is, to seek, know, and remain in Him. This is the narrow way which develops and maintains our personal unity. It is the bridge from our gift of the Holy Spirit to that of true works .

True Works : The manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s–the Spirit of truth’s –works in our lives. These include the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) and the utilization of our spiritual gifts in God’s will for the common good (see Chapter 4). For believers, true works act as a final proof of our faith and are a testimony that the Holy Spirit is in us. This is our Calling.

The Calling Is Now includes quotations from over 1,500 New Testament verses for the purposes of verifying the source of my assertions as well as for personal reflection.

INTRODUCTION

What Does It Truly Mean to Believe in Jesus?

When Jesus was asked, What must we do to do the works God requires?, he responded, The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent (John 6:28–29). So then, as Christians, we must ask ourselves: what does it truly mean to believe in Jesus? To start with, believers can only fully embrace Christianity when they discover for themselves the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:1 KJV). And since Jesus proclaimed, It is the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63 NASB), then his offer of the Holy Spirit must hold the key to our purpose. ² Consequently, a believer in Jesus should somehow outwardly reflect the Holy Spirit within them. But why does this foundational principle remain foreign to many Christians?

If we truly believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, wouldn’t we be motivated to know his true character and entire teaching? And what would our daily actions look like if we truly believed? If Jesus offers peace, then why do so many of us live without peace? And why has the Holy Spirit been relegated to an ambiguity in the lives of many Christians? Ultimately, I wonder: why are so many of us unaware of our unique calling? I intend to provide answers to these questions by attempting to shed light on the mystery of personal unity with the Holy Spirit. In so doing, a fundamental approach to finding peace and God’s purpose for our life—our calling—will be presented.

Let’s begin with one of the most familiar passages from the New Testament: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son , that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16 NASB). Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus defines eternal life in a prayer: Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ , whom you have sent (John 17:3) . So then, to believe in Jesus is to have eternal life, and eternal life is to know him. Accordingly, here is a question to contemplate: does knowing Jesus’ true character have the power to transform our minds, making it possible to achieve an eternal life mindset now? If so, the believer has been provided a pathway to follow. Let’s reflect on the apostle Paul’s encouragement to take hold of the eternal life to which you were called (1 Tim. 6:12).

Jesus said to his disciples, If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also (John 14:7 NASB). He followed this statement by asking one of his disciples, Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? (v. 9 NASB). The apostle Paul later highlighted the importance of this knowledge when he expressed the following desire in a prayer for disciples: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him (Eph. 1:17 NASB). But for most of us, this wisdom and revelation will only be received by first making an effort to seek Jesus’ teachings and practice his ways. This explains why Jesus used such terminology as: seek first his kingdom, ask, seek , and knock, come to me, follow me. ³ The apostle Peter said this about Jesus: His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Pet. 1:3, NASB). Therefore, let’s first acknowledge that believers are expected to seek and know Jesus’ way of life. Believing is not passive, but active.

What principally differentiates the Old and New Testaments is Jesus’ offer of a new covenant. But not all Christians seem fully aware of the significance of this new covenant. Oxford Dictionary defines a covenant, from a theological standpoint, as an agreement which brings about a relationship of commitment between God and his people. ⁴ Since God’s voice was rarely recorded in the Gospels, we can assume that when it was, the message must have been critical. At Jesus’ baptism, God said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matt. 3:17 KJV; see also Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Again, the same message was heard at Jesus’ transfiguration, with the important addition, … [L]isten to Him! (Matt. 17:5 NASB; see also Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35). But are we listening?

In simple terms, as believers in Jesus, the new covenant offers us forgiveness of sins (Matt. 26:28), the Holy Spirit to work in our lives (John 6:63, 14:26, 16:7), and eternal life (John 3:16). These are all represented at Communion (the Eucharist), the practice Jesus began at the Lord’s Supper in memory of him and our new covenant. The apostle Paul explained we are now …servants of a new covenant … of the Spirit ; for… the Spirit gives life (2 Cor. 3:6 NASB). Accordingly, let’s not only view Communion as a remembrance of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. The very act of the Lord’s Supper—consuming his body and blood—epitomizes an ongoing unity within us (i.e., feeding on his words, the bread of life, to renew our minds, and the Holy Spirit’s renewing of our hearts). It’s a reminder that we have a part to play—as in any agreement for a relationship commitment—and Jesus’ covenant is no different.

Jesus said, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself , and take up his cross and follow Me (Matt. 16:24 NASB; see also Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Matt. 16:25 NASB; see also Matt. 10:39; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24, 17:33; John 12:25). Learning to embrace such an instruction is crucial to understanding the Christian faith. All four Gospels record Jesus’ words in the latter verse, and in Matthew and Luke they are repeated more than once. Since the words carry such importance, they should preoccupy our Christian mindset. But what do the concepts expressed in the phrases deny himself, take up his cross, and lose his life mean? They seem to suggest that by following him, we are expected to undergo a type of sacrifice under the new covenant. This shouldn’t surprise anyone since most things in this world require some form of sacrifice. Are we willing to follow through?

Jesus not only instructed us on a way to follow, but he provided us with a purpose: My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit , and so prove to be My disciples (John 15:8 NASB). Jesus said the kingdom of God will be given to a people who will produce its fruit (Matt. 21:43), and Then he shall reward every man according to his works (Matt. 16:27 KJV). So Christianity requires us to deny our selfish ambitions and to seek Jesus’ ways instead, because in doing so we will find life in bearing much fruit.

Accordingly, our responsibility under the new covenant can be summed up by two verses. The first is this: Remain in me, as I also remain in you (John 15:4). It’s worthy of note that both the NASB and KJV translate abide instead of remain . Nevertheless, since this verse coincides with Jesus’ vine and branches parable, the meaning was intended to invoke an image for the listener. ⁵ Jesus continued, If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit ; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5). This last statement could not be more explicit! But what is our expected fruit? Since bearing fruit is our responsibility, this book will clarify that fruit based on New Testament principles.

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Although embracing Christianity begins with belief in Jesus as the Christ and Savior, this belief is not only for the purpose of receiving forgiveness of sins and eternal life (i.e. salvation, or to be saved). If so, then what of our responsibility under the new covenant to bear much fruit in this life? Likewise, we are not saved by our good works, as practiced in the Old Testament tradition, but after we accept Jesus as our Savior, the New Testament is clear that we have works to do. Grace and works are not opposing concepts in the Gospel, but part of one coherent message. The apostle Paul said,

For it is by grace you have been saved , through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works , so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works , which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:8–10)

Jesus baptizes believers with the Holy Spirit so we can find life now, in a unique calling. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you (John 16:14 NASB). All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you (John 16:15). All Christians must seek to discern this mystery of what the apostle Paul called Christ in you (Col. 1:27 KJV; see also Romans 8:10–11; 2 Cor. 13:5). The apostle John explained, And this is how we know that he lives in us : We know it by the Spirit he gave us (1 John 3:24). Ultimately, Jesus proclaimed, the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21 KJV).

If we remain without internal peace and unaware of our purpose, the status of our personal unity with the Holy Spirit should come into question. After all, if believers don’t sustain the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), nor the peace of Christ (John 16:33) after receiving the Holy Spirit—which is Christ in you—then we must have a part to play in forming our union. For this reason, a believer must continue to seek and know Jesus’ ways, and be able to distinguish them from the commonly accepted ways of the world. As we begin to renew our minds to Jesus’ ways, we will begin to develop a mindset of peace and unity. For God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Heb. 11:6 KJV). As we remain in unity, the Holy Spirit will counsel, convict, and compel us into our good works, which are the fruit Jesus has purposed for us.

Therefore, to believe in Jesus is to seek his ways; to seek his ways is to know him; and to know him is to remain in him. Seek , know , and remain can sum up the Christian life. To be sure, Jesus said, If you love me, keep my commands (John 14:15). Significantly, Jesus made this statement immediately before he promised the Holy Spirit, and the connection should not go unnoticed. Jesus continued, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word ; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him (John 14:23 NASB). Now if Jesus offers us the Holy Spirit simply through faith in him, then could the link between keep and make Our abode with refer to developing unity? ⁶ In other words, to keep Jesus’ word is to practice his teachings, but consistent obedience is only possible through the Holy Spirit. Only those who continue to keep Jesus’ word will be able to perceive his presence through their newfound obedience.

This is the process that will reveal an obedience that comes from faith (Rom. 1:5, 16:26). The apostle Paul summed up our responsibility best when he wrote: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Therefore, based on New Testament principles, The Calling Is Now will aim to illustrate that the expected works of a believer—namely, to seek , know , and remain —are meant to keep us on the pathway of unity, but that it’s the Holy Spirit who is the source of our good works and purpose. Only through unity with the Holy Spirit could we possibly fulfill Jesus’ instruction: be perfect , as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48 NASB).

What if we choose instead to seek and act according to the ways of the world, where selfish ambition resides? If our behavior is in opposition to Jesus’ teachings (for more, see Section III, Jesus’ Ways Oppose the Ways of the World), can we truly call ourselves believers? Moreover, if Jesus declared that life will only be found through the Holy Spirit, then why wouldn’t seeking unity with the Holy Spirit be on the pathway to our purpose? In fact, the apostles were told to tell the people all about this new life (Acts 5:20). Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Cor. 5:17). True peace, purpose, and an abundant life will only be found through the Holy Spirit.

Peace and Unity with the Holy Spirit

Ultimately, Jesus said, My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me (John 7:16 NASB). Many Christians, however, have yet to discover that New Testament reading is not only essential, but stimulating, because it contains within it:

…the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:2–3);

…the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints (Col. 1:26 NASB); ⁷

…the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8 NASB).

The apostle Paul explained that believers in Jesus have access to all of the mysteries, wisdom, and knowledge, because . . . to us God revealed them through the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:10 NASB). The Holy Spirit is our Helper (see John 14:26 below), and therefore our source of wisdom for understanding the mystery of God, namely, Christ. We are only limited by our willingness to uncover it. By reading New Testament scriptures, our minds will be renewed toward Jesus’ ways, helping us to discover our calling pathway to peace and purpose.

Among Jesus’ many promises within the New Testament are two crucial elements for keeping the Christian faith. The first is Jesus’ offer of a distinct pathway to peace which we are called to follow. We find this pathway by seeking to know Jesus through his teachings and practicing his ways. This distinct pathway leads us to an internal peace that can only result from a renewing of our minds toward Jesus’ character, and therefore, it is no ordinary peace but what I call a consequential peace (Chapters 1 and 2 elaborate on the concept). To be certain, when Jesus told his disciples he would be leaving the world and going back to the Father, he offered one of his most profound messages: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace . In this world you will have trouble . But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). The contrast Jesus makes between him and the world could not be clearer. So why do so many Christians still try to find peace in the ways of the world?

The second crucial element for keeping the Christian faith is in recognizing that Jesus always emphasized a life from within—a life from out of our hearts. That life within reveals our motivation and character (i.e., do we live by God’s will or our own wills). Jesus promised, But the Helper , the Holy Spirit , whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26 NASB). After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit, is to become our life from within, in God’s will. Since it is the Holy Spirit who gives life (John 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6), then lasting peace and purpose will only be achieved through Holy Spirit ambition, not through selfish ambition.

A subtle yet significant concept to contemplate is this: consequential peace is the crucial link for developing our personal unity with the Holy Spirit. In other words, as we continue to seek, know, and remain in Jesus’ ways, the resulting peace—consequential peace—acts as a bond for unity. Accordingly, our ability to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction in our lives is a function of our willingness to follow Jesus’ ways. This is how we can initiate the process for an internal transformation of both mind and heart, which is a necessary step to finding our purpose and bearing good fruit. As a result, this book will show that once we receive the Holy Spirit, we have a responsibility to develop and remain in unity.

Was Jesus’ persistent offer of peace, and his teachings of a life from within, preparatory for our relationship with the Holy Spirit? Was he showing us the way to peace so that only by choosing to seek his ways would we discover that the resulting peace was the necessary link for developing unity? Is it only then, through the unity of this peace and the Holy Spirit, that our unique calling will be discovered? As John the Baptist led the way to Jesus by preaching repentance, did Jesus lead the way to unity with the Holy Spirit by preaching the way to peace? After all, the Holy Spirit was only received by Jesus’ disciples after his death and resurrection, and this is no different for us today. Could this be the mystery of personal unity with the Holy Spirit: following Jesus’ way to peace develops the way to unity.

Jesus, as the Son of God, Christ, Savior, Mediator, and sole provider of a new covenant was sent by God to provide us reconciliation. ⁸ Peace with God is required before we can receive the peace of God. Not only will we find peace in seeking Jesus’ ways, but as this consequential peace develops unity with the Holy Spirit, we will be able to display the works, fruit, and spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. ⁹ If the Spirit gives life, then why wouldn’t this be the pathway to our unique calling? Moreover, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is peace (Gal. 5:22–23). By remaining in unity, we gain access to the peace of God , which surpasses all comprehension (Philippians 4:7 NASB). The best attempt at understanding this peace is to imagine a peace that is constant and not dependent on circumstances, much like the peace Jesus displayed throughout his ministry.

Therefore, seeking Jesus’ ways will lead to consequential peace, which will lead to unity with the Holy Spirit, which will lead to many blessings, including the peace of God and our spiritual gifts. This pathway to peace and purpose is consistent with one of Jesus’ most frequently stated promises: For whoever has , to him more shall be given , and he will have an abundance (Matt. 13:12 NASB; see also Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18). When a believer seeks, knows, and remains, the Holy Spirit will multiply for an abundant life. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident , nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light (Luke 8:17 NASB; also Mark 4:22). Jesus made these last two statements to encourage careful listening to his teachings, and fittingly, after he told the parable of the sower (see Chapter 2); whose seed (Jesus’ teachings) which fell on good soil, multiplied its fruit.

Interestingly, Christianity was first called the Way , as referenced several times throughout the Book of Acts (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). It’s the Way to so many of Jesus’ promises, including peace, the Holy Spirit, the Father, and eternal life. The apostle Paul described the way to peace to disciples like this: The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9 NASB). Paul’s use of practice emphasizes our effort in initiating the starting point, and that the God of peace will be with you suggests unity with the Holy Spirit will be the result. Similarly, Paul encouraged disciples to let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Col. 3:15 NASB). In terms of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Holy Spirit is the God of peace and peace of Christ, and can be manifested in all believers. But do we all believe (i.e. seek, know, and remain)? One translation of the ancient hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo is expressed like this: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased (Luke 2:14 NASB). Wouldn’t God be pleased to give peace to those who follow the Way —the reason for Jesus’ coming?

Remaining in unity with the Holy Spirit requires our continual effort because our thoughts, motivations, and behaviors have a direct impact on our union. In unity, we understand our unique gifts and receive guidance on how to apply them according to God’s will. And so the Holy Spirit holds the key to our unique calling. Although this process begins with our effort to seek and practice Jesus’ ways, fulfillment occurs when we are able to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance and obey when we are compelled to act (Chapters 1, 7, 14, and my concluding remarks provide a progressive illustration). This is how we find life and bear much fruit. The journey on this pathway may be unique to us all, but there will be many common threads along the way. Nevertheless, one thing should be certain: if we aren’t living our lives with a consequential peace, we cannot live out our calling.

One way to think about our unity with the Holy Spirit is to view it in terms of what I call a personal unity battery , which provides access to his incomparably great power for us who believe (Eph. 1:19). When we consistently remain in Jesus’ ways we are fully charged and have complete unity with and access to the power of the Holy Spirit. Accordingly, we will be able to fulfill our calling according to his power that is at work within us (Eph. 3:20). No doubt, this was the position held by the apostles when they performed miracles and healings in the Book of Acts.

However, when we follow the ways of the world—when we act contrary to Jesus’ teachings and do not have consequential peace—our personal unity battery will be depleted. As a result, it will be harder to discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance, gifts, and unique calling on our lives. When we are caught up in the ways of the world, our personal unity battery will completely drain, and we will become oblivious to the Holy Spirit’s presence. We will fall into the trap of becoming part-time or dormant Christians. Our status as such is determined by how little our personal unity battery is