Defenses Against Deception | Episode 18 | The Fulfillment

In the eighteenth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane teaches how the Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus throughout the Scriptures, revealing Him as the fulfillment and embodiment of God's promises. Jesus is also the firstborn of fullness from which all spiritual blessings come (Ephesians 1:3, 1 John 2:24). The Holy Spirit shows us Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) regarding our need for God.

The Spirit reveals Jesus as the answer to the human condition – our deep spiritual bankruptcy, separation from God due to sin (Romans 3:23). Scripture testifies that humanity was spiritually destitute and hopeless before the grace of God through Christ's sacrifice (Ephesians 2:12). It reveals all people, even spiritual people like Abraham, David, and Paul, were spiritually bankrupt and in desperate need of divine rescue from sin's dominion (Romans 3:10; 9:16; 11:32).

The Holy Spirit revealed God's supreme expression of love – He so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son to deliver us from sin's dominion (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8). This salvation requires a response to the Spirit's conviction, repentance, and turning from sin's depravity through embracing the light of the Cross (Ephesians 2:8).

The Spirit reveals we were spiritually naked, bankrupt, doomed to judgment (Ephesians 2:11-12). Yet, Christ's full pardon came through His sacrifice, providing grace wherein our response can be sincere. By embracing His light, repenting, and receiving His pardon, we become spiritually alive from the dead - like Jesus bodily raised from spiritual death (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:1-8; Ezekiel 36:26-27). But for those who embrace and obey this way, we will live, co-reigned with Christ forevermore (Revelation 22:3-5, Romans 8:17).