The following commentary illustrates how the Holy Spirit works as wind. Let us read it.
True Freedom is not Independence
To illustrate how freedom works in the Biblical sense a script - of sorts - was included in our Teacher's section of our lesson. I believe it is a powerful illustration. It is a dialogue between a hand rag puppet and the wind.
In summary, the puppet is a hand puppet that will only work when someone fills it with his hand. The puppet insisted that the hand filling it so far was grubby. So, it did not feel right. It saw another kind of puppet, the kind that is held up with strings – and thought that this was a better option. But, once it saw the strings, it realized the other puppet was not better off than itself. It also noticed that "Whenever I get up and get noticed, it means he's (grubby hands) in charge of my every move. It's nice hearing kids laugh, but deep inside I know I'm just getting dirty inside. Otherwise I live like this, a total flop."
The Wind offered to come inside to live, cleanse the dirt inside from the grubby hands, and hold it up without the need for grubby hands to fill it or strings attached. It was a very expensive procedure, but it would be free to the puppet. And, it had to be with the puppet's permission. The puppet had to choose to let the Wind do it. The Puppet flew away yelling out excitedly, ". . . I'm soaring . . . I'm free!" The puppet was still not on control, per se, after all the wind lived in Him. The wind was in charge of every move. The puppet was not independent, although the puppet felt free. What was the difference?
There were probably several factors. One of which was the cleansing. Another was the fact that it could soar and not be carried around for the needs and wants of Mr. Grubby Hands. Also, there is an implication that it was permanent. The Puppet would no longer be lying down, as long as the wind could live in it, which would be as long as the puppet allowed it to stay.
Based on John 3:8 we could equate the Wind with the Holy Spirit,
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit follows Jesus mode of operating. Jesus says to us in Revelation 3:
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
So, Christ, via the Holy Spirit, always asks for permission to come in. We can tell God always asks for permission by Paul's use of the verb, "To Let." It implies permission. One example of this word is Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
When we open our door the Holy Spirit comes in and begins His work of sanctifying; in other words: cleansing us (Ephesians 5: 25 -27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). Then we start experiencing freedom from the power of Sin. Thus, we also experience freedom from the shame, burden, and guilt that results from Sin. But, this freedom is only experienced if we are continually letting the Holy Spirit dwell in us. (Ironically, this will only happen if and as we are looking at the Cross.) As we become completely and continually dependent on Him, we experience more freedom from the shackles of Sin. This frees us to serve God. Thus, if by faith we are dependent on God, then we soar.
--
Raul Diaz
Originally Posted by Ulee on 4/09/2010
