Friday, October 15, 2010

The Holy Spirit is Our Helper

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor
 to be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth." – John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit is our helper.  Sounds like something you would hear as a small child in Sunday School.  And yet we find ourselves striving to live out our Christianity, often in our own strength.  But this is not the way God planned it to be.  We are to live out our Christianity through His strength and by His power.

Let’s look at the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives.  First He gives us new birth into the Kingdom of God.  “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but Spirit gives birth to Spirit.’” – John 3:5-6.  He baptizes us into the body of Christ.  “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—where Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” – 1 Cor 12:13.  “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” – Rom 8:9.

Next after we are born of the Spirit, our spirit bears witness for us that we are Children of God.  “Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that make you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” – Rom 8:13-17  “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ – Gal 4:6

He convicts of sin.  “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you.  When He comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” – John 16:7-8

The Holy Spirit seals us.  “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to   the praise of his glory.” Eph 1:13-14.  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with who you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Eph 4:30.

He gives us power to mortify the flesh. 1  “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires…You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you…Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” – Rom 8:5, 9, 12-15.  “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Gal 5:16.

The Holy Spirit brings forth fruit in our lives.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Gal 5:22. 

The Holy Spirit gives gifts (1 Cor 12:7-11; 1 Pet 4:10-11).  He baptizes (John 1:33; Acts 11:16) and infills believes, giving them power for service.  “Instead be filled with the Spirit.” – Eph 5:18

He makes His home in us.  “Those who obey His [Jesus’] commands live in him, and He in them.  And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” – 1 John 3:24.  “We know that we live in him [Jesus] and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” – John 4:13

In short, the Holy Spirit lives in us and if we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit (I.E. we have given Him permission to work in our lives), then He will give us power over our flesh (the same power He used to raise Christ from the dead – Eph 1:18-21), witness to us that we are now part of the family of God, work His character in us as His fruit, give us gifts to use for His Kingdom.

God has given you the best He has to offer.  He has given Himself to come and live in you and help you live out His Kingdom in your life.  He has empowered you with His Spirit – Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God living in you.  He sanctifies you, develops His character (His fruit) in you.  He gives you significance and purpose.  He gives you gifts to use for His glory.  He invites you into His family.  He gives you HIMSELF as your inheritance.  Now if the Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance, then who could imagine the actual inheritance (Eph 1:13-14)?

Father, help us to avail ourselves of all you offer through the Holy Spirit.  We accept our place as children.  We accept your power at work within us.  Teach us to appropriate all that you have promised.  Perfect your character in us and help us to use Your gifts to further Your Kingdom.  Let us be found in you.  In Jesus Name,  Amen.

Footnotes
1 Duffield, Guy P., and N. M. Van Cleave. Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Los Angeles: L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983. Print. p 279.

References
All Scriptures not specified are quoted from Life in the Spirit Study Bible (NIV). Stamps, Donald C., and John Wesley Adams. Life in the Spirit Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. Print.
Stamps, Donald C., and John Wesley Adams. "The Work of the Holy Spirit." Chart. Life in the Spirit Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. 1831-1833. Print.
Duffield, Guy P., and N. M. Van Cleave. Foundations of Pentecostal Theology. Los Angeles: L.I.F.E. Bible College, 1983. Print.
The Work of the Holy Spirit