Galatians 3:13-14 – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) ¹⁴ in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, this thought kept reverberating in my spirit: the promise of the Spirit and the promise by the Spirit.

Let me explain what was stirring within me.   The Promise by the Spirit refers to things or events, whereas the Promise of the Spirit pertains to a person, specifically the third member of the triune Godhead, the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 3:14, speaking of redemption by faith and grace, says about the crucifixion, “in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing (singular) of Abraham would come to the Gentiles so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.”

The Promise of the Spirit brings us into the fullness of the New Covenant.  He empowers us to become and be the manifestation of Jesus on earth. He makes the New Covenant a living reality in us. It is heartbreaking to encounter believers who only know about Jesus rather than experiencing Him.

The heart of God is for us to “know” Him.   I do not go to school, church, conferences, etc., to “know” God.  We can only truly “know” God by encountering and experiencing Him.   We “know” God by what He does because what He does is an extension of who He is.   It is His Revelation of Himself.   That Revelation is personal and intimate.   It is not learned in books alone!

People are perishing and living as paupers in the palace because they are taught how to know about God rather than being led into an encounter with Him.

We hear theory preached, not Revelation.  Theory will not transform – Revelation will.  By that, I mean experiencing Jesus.  One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to teach us the heart and mind of God.

The word translated as ” know” is “Yada,” which conveys the idea of deep intimacy.   It is intercourse.   Not sexual activity, but encountering God in the deepest level of intimacy and becoming one with Him.   That is a part of the promise of the Spirit.

Once that ‘Knowing’ becomes such a part of me, I become one with it. It is in me, and it is me. I live it because I am it.

That’s the New Covenant Life!   James said, “Don’t tell me you believe. Devils believe but are not transformed.”    Too many believe about and even believe in God but have not experienced God in knowing Him transformationally.

Once we have seen Him and received Him, we move from knowing about to knowing and becoming one with Him.  At that point, it is impossible not to live Him!   We become what He manifested on Earth.   In John 17, Jesus said, “This is eternal life…”   What Is?  “That they may KNOW Thee, the only true God.”

By Jesus’ definition, eternal life is not a possession but a relationship. It is becoming one with Him, who is life! 

Let us move from theory to experience.  Let us move from knowing about to knowing.    Let us move from striving to be to being.   We have the promise!  The only thing holding us back from being manifestations of God in this present world is us.

Have a victorious day being who Jesus says you are!