Reading #4- The Holy Spirit in our lives today...
Of all the gifts given to mankind by God, there is none greater than the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit has many functions, roles, and activities.
- First, He does a work in the hearts of all people everywhere.
Jesus told the disciples that He would send the Spirit into the world to:
John 16:7-11
7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Everyone has a “God consciousness,” whether or not they admit it. The Spirit applies the truths of God to minds of men to convince them by fair and sufficient arguments that they are sinners. Responding to that conviction brings men to salvation.
- Next, once we are saved and belong to God, the Spirit takes up residence in our hearts forever, sealing us with the confirming, certifying, and assuring pledge of our eternal state as His children.
Jesus said He would send the Spirit to us to be our Helper, Comforter, and Guide.
John 14:16
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
The Holy Spirit is the "revealer of truth."
The Spirit’s presence within us enables us to understand and interpret God’s Word.
Jesus told His disciples that “when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).
> He reveals to our minds the whole counsel of God as it relates to worship, doctrine, and Christian living.
> He is the ultimate guide, going before, leading the way, removing obstructions, opening the understanding, and making all things plain and clear.
> He leads in the way we should go in all spiritual things. Without such a guide, we would be apt to fall into error.
> He reveals that Jesus is who He said He is:
John 15:26
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
> The Spirit convinces us of Christ’s deity and incarnation, His being the Messiah, His suffering and death, His resurrection and ascension, His exaltation at the right hand of God, and His role as the judge of all. He gives glory to Christ in all things.
John 16:14
He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
The Holy Spirit is a gift-giver.
1 Corinthians 12 describes the spiritual gifts given to believers in order that we may function as the body of Christ on earth. All these gifts, both great and small, are given by the Spirit so that we may be His ambassadors to the world, showing forth His grace and glorifying Him.
The Spirit also functions as fruit-producer in our lives.
When He indwells us, He begins the work of harvesting His fruit in our lives—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
These are not works of our flesh, which is incapable of producing such fruit, but they are products of the Spirit’s presence in our lives.
The knowledge that the Holy Spirit of God has taken up residence in our lives,
that He performs all these miraculous functions,
that He dwells with us forever,
and that He will never leave or forsake us
...........is cause for great joy and comfort.
Thank God for this precious gift—the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives!
Glory to GOD!
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