(Acts 8:5-8,14-17; Ps.66:1-7,16,20; 1Pt.3:15-18; Jn.14:15-21) "Put to death in the flesh, He was brought to life in the Spirit." It is of this way to life Jesus teaches us when He says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments," for what is it to keep His commandments but to carry His cross – to lay down our lives, to die to the flesh, to suffer for His sake – and what is love but the life the Spirit brings. And both dying to self and loving God we find the Spirit at work in our lives; He is "the Spirit of truth," yes, but also the Spirit of love, for He is the love of the Father and the Son, and it is by Him we become one in love with Father and Son, and so share in the oneness of the Holy Trinity. Love and truth are really one and the same; neither exists without the other, for both are of God who is one in Himself. We know the commandment of God, which calls us by the fire of truth to kill all the sin within our souls, is simply a commandment to love, for the whole law is summed up in love. And when Peter calls us to "always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for [our] hope" (in other words, to speak the truth of the risen Christ), he cannot but immediately add, "Do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear"; for if not spoken in love, it is no truth at all – it is but vain posturing. Truth and love may also be seen in Philip's work in the city of Samaria. He went and "proclaimed the Christ to them" – thus the sword of truth goes forth to pierce hearts and bleed them of sin – but the new life that is brought about by this death to the flesh is also evident, in the signs of God's love he enacted in casting out evil spirits and in the "many paralyzed or crippled people [who] were cured." And oh how the fullness of truth and the perfection of love came upon these converts when Peter and John "laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit." Alleluia! If before "there was great joy in that city" upon being "baptized in the name of Jesus," now what joy there is for them to know this blessing would never leave. Jesus promises to send "another Advocate to be with [us] always"; this is the Holy Spirit who confirms in us that once dead to sin, we shall live forever in Him. For this blessing let us "shout joyfully to God" and "sing praise to the glory of His name." For indeed now by His kindness and His truth, by His grace and by His might, in love and justice He has set us free from the death of sin and brought us to life in Him. Alleluia! Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Loving Sprit" from Loving Spirit, third album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, reveal yourself to us this day that we might praise you with joy. YHWH, we sing praise to your Name for all your gifts and graces but especially for the great gift of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love and truth, the Spirit of the Christ, ruling our lives. For sealed by the Spirit we are forever joined to you and your Son in surpassing glory. Alleluia! How blessed are we, dear LORD, that your Son has been preached to us and we have welcomed Him into our hearts and so found healing from all that sin had inflicted upon us. What joy there is in being baptized in the Name of Jesus! What everlasting joy we know in having the hands of your apostles laid on our heads that we might receive your Holy Spirit! For now we are filled to overflowing with your glorious praise. No longer orphans, we are joined to you, our Father, through Jesus your Son. One with you, O Triune God, we become as, put to death in the flesh, we are brought to life in the Spirit. Alleluia!