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b'(Acts 8:5-8,14-17;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.66:1-7,16,20;\\xa0\\xa0 1Pt.3:15-18;\\xa0\\xa0 Jn.14:15-21) \\xa0 \\u201cPut to death in the flesh, He was brought to life in the Spirit.\\u201d \\xa0 It is of this way to life Jesus teaches us when He says, \\u201cIf you love me, you will keep my commandments,\\u201d for what is it to keep His commandments but to carry His cross \\u2013 to lay down our lives, to die to the flesh, to suffer for His sake \\u2013 and what is love but the life the Spirit brings.\\xa0 And both dying to self and loving God we find the Spirit at work in our lives; He is \\u201cthe Spirit of truth,\\u201d 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.\\xa0 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.\\xa0 And when Peter calls us to \\u201calways be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks [us] for a reason for [our] hope\\u201d (in other words, to speak the truth of the risen Christ), he cannot but immediately add, \\u201cDo it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear\\u201d; for if not spoken in love, it is no truth at all \\u2013 it is but vain posturing. Truth and love may also be seen in Philip\\u2019s work in the city of Samaria.\\xa0 He went and \\u201cproclaimed the Christ to them\\u201d \\u2013 thus the sword of truth goes forth to pierce hearts and bleed them of sin \\u2013 but the new life that is brought about by this death to the flesh is also evident, in the signs of God\\u2019s love he enacted in casting out evil spirits and in the \\u201cmany paralyzed or crippled people [who] were cured.\\u201d\\xa0 And oh how the fullness of truth and the perfection of love came upon these converts when Peter and John \\u201claid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.\\u201d\\xa0 Alleluia!\\xa0 If before \\u201cthere was great joy in that city\\u201d upon being \\u201cbaptized in the name of Jesus,\\u201d now what joy there is for them to know this blessing would never leave. Jesus promises to send \\u201canother Advocate to be with [us] always\\u201d; this is the Holy Spirit who confirms in us that once dead to sin, we shall live forever in Him.\\xa0 For this blessing let us \\u201cshout joyfully to God\\u201d and \\u201csing praise to the glory of His name.\\u201d\\xa0 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.\\xa0 Alleluia! \\xa0 Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. \\xa0 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.\\xa0 For sealed by the Spirit we are forever joined to you and your Son in surpassing glory.\\xa0 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.\\xa0 What joy there is in being baptized in the Name of Jesus!\\xa0 What everlasting joy we know in having the hands of your apostles laid on our heads that we might receive your Holy Spirit!\\xa0 For now we are filled to overflowing with your glorious praise.\\xa0 No longer orphans, we are joined to you, our Father, through Jesus your Son.\\xa0 One with you, O Triune God, we become as, put to death in the flesh, we are brought to life in the Spirit.\\xa0 Alleluia!'