Everyone likes to receive gifts. When we receive a gift, it should never
be received in a prideful way as though we are somehow deserving of
such. A gift is something that is given freely, voluntarily and without compensation. So, due to what a gift is, we should receive
it humbly because they are meant to be a blessing. On the day of
Pentecost, the Apostle Peter preaches his first open air message to the
crowds that had gathered in Jerusalem. Toward the end of this message he
is asked by many of those who listened, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) Peter responds by saying to them, “Repent,
and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
Responding to the call
to repentance and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ has opened
the door for receiving "The Gift of the Holy Spirit." Titus tells us, "not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His
mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of
the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5) The Greek word for regeneration means
"to be birthed again." This is what Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus
concerning what one must do to see the kingdom of God, "Jesus said to him, assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
(John 3:3) Therefore, it is vitally important that believers be
equipped with the Word of God so that they fully understand why they are
given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The following will shed some light on this.
"There
is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who
do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2) "that
He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." (Ephesians
3:16) The Holy Spirit is given to liberate the believer from the power
of sin and death. The believer is no longer limited to natural power in
order to live up to God's standard, but rather, God has placed within
the believer the Holy Spirit. Now the believer has the very ability of
God dwelling within.
"In
Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the
Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until
the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) The Holy Spirit constantly bears witness of our relationship with God that we are born again and He is the believers guarantee of this inheritance.
"But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is
no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) The moment that one is born again and
receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, their human spirit is
supernaturally recreated. The recreated human spirit is instantly filled
with these nine endowments which when depended upon by the believer
keeps them from living in the old nature and walking in the lusts of the
flesh. Walking in the Spirit simply means to walk in the fruit of the
recreated spirit.
"But
you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you
shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit equips the believer for service in fulfilling the Great Commission.
"Likewise
the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we
should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26) The Holy Spirit makes it possible for the believer to communion with God through prayer; "But
the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to
worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) and also through worship.
"However,
when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all
truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears
He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit will guide the believer into all truth. Jesus said, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
(John 17:17) This is one of the vital functions of the Holy Spirit in
the believers life. Knowing God's Word will build the believers faith
and assure the believer that all of the other attributes of the Holy
Spirit shown above are indeed true. So let us give thanks to the Father
for drawing us to Jesus (John 6:44); Give thanks to the Lord Jesus
Christ for bringing us to the Father (John 14:6) and let us give thanks
to the Holy Spirit for being with us and in us (John 14:17) even until the end of the ages. Amen (Matthew 28:20)
Monday, June 13, 2022
Life In The Spirit
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