I've been reading through Exodus recently and once you get past the story of the amazing miracles, plagues, and subsequent escape from Egypt you suddenly find yourself in the middle of lists of laws and instructions. Several chapters are dedicated to listing the instructions God gave to Moses for the building, furnishing and management of the Temple and its activities. It seemed like a lot was required in order for the people to experience God's presence on earth. It seemed like a lot had to happen just for God to be able to reside near his people. Is it because the people wouldn't be able to handle the power of God's presence without the veil of the Temple? Is it because the people wouldn't understand how to relate to God without the structure of a meticulous religious system? Possibly yes, and yes, and also more. Regardless of all the reasons, complex preparations had to be made to make possible God's presence among the people. When the people were ready, God came among them.
Galatians 4:4 says "When the time had fully come, God sent his Son..." In Jesus God once again lived among his people. This time he came through relationship rather than through religion. He came as a person, not just a presence. But he only came when the time had fully come. The world was prepared for his arrival. The Old Testament prophets had written about him, John the Baptizer had prepared the way for him, and angels had sung of his arrival. Beyond that, the world was prepared for his message to spread. Throughout the known world there was a common language: Greek. What better time to spread a message than when everyone speaks the same language? The Romans are also famous for their road system which extended throughout the empire, and the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) which enabled people to travel long distances in safety. The world was ripe for the rapid spread of the gospel message. The time had fully come so God sent his Son.
Today, God still wants to reside among his people. However, the Temple is destroyed and the incarnate presence of Christ has returned to the heavenly realm. We live in the age of the Holy Spirit. God presence can indwell any believer. We are his Temple, and his Spirit can live in us. This is how God's presence can reside among his people today.
Now, I don't think there are religious preparatory requirements for God to give us his Spirit other than the need to ask. The Spirit is offered freely to us because of the work of Christ on the cross. However I do think that preparation can help us to be more connected to the presence of the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." "Be filled" is a command, therefore we have a say in whether or not we will be filled. Being filled in this context speaks of control. What are you allowing to influence you? Alcohol? Or God? So one can choose what they are filled with: alcohol, selfishness, greed, lust, anger, pride, self esteem, etc. All of these are of the flesh - the sinful nature. The only other option is the Holy Spirit.
To prepare for God's Spirit what do we do? We need to empty ourselves of everything else through humility and repentance. It's like Moses building the Temple, or the Father preparing the world for his Son. We prepare our hearts for the complete takeover of the Spirit, and He can walk us through life in a way unimaginable without Him.
Grace and Peace
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