That is the fundamental question that you have to answer in evaluating how you are doing in your life. We are going to take a look at the promise, the purpose, the work, and the evidence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's children.
In John chapter 14, Jesus promised his disciples that the Father would send them another Counselor.
The term "counselor" means one called alongside to help. This was at the last supper and Jesus was explaining to them that He was going to be leaving them.
Can you imagine what the disciples were thinking and feeling? They had given up everything to follow Jesus and now, at the passover meal, Jesus was telling them that He was going to be leaving and they could not follow. Jesus went on to promise and explain to them that He was not going to leave them alone in this world but that "we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23
Got the Spirit? Jesus promised it to his people and God keeps his promises! Therefore, if you do not have the Holy Spirit, you are not his. You can become one of his by pressing the RESET BUTTON on your life.
The purpose of the Spirit is described in several areas of the Holy Bible. In Romans 8:23, the Spirit is described as firstfruits and reminds us of the expectation of a bountiful harvest. In Ephesians 1:13 & 14 and 4:30, Paul described, to the saints in Ephesus, the Spirit as a seal and a deposit. In 2 Corinthians chapter 5, Paul further explains that this deposit is guaranteeing what is to come referring to our heavenly home.
In our lives today, we are familiar with the concept of a deposit and its implications. For instance, in many states you pay a fee when you purchase drinks in containers that can be recycled. This fee is called a deposit and it is a promise that, if you recycle the container, you will be receive the fee in return. You do not have to wonder if you are going to receive the fee.
It is much the same way with the Holy Spirit. You do not have to wonder where you will spend eternity.
Got the Spirit? If you do, then you can walk in victory and not in doubt! God keeps his promises! If you do not walk in victory, you need to press the RESET BUTTON on your life.
Have you ever been so stunned by something that you can't even find the words to pray? Take heart! We are told, in Romans 8:26, that the Holy Spirit is with us to help. The Spirit is there to intercede on our behalf in accordance with God's will. You see, the Holy Spirit knows the will of God and so can lead us in areas of prayer. But, the Holy Spirit can also pray on our behalf when we just don't know what God's will is in a situation. That, my friends, is some powerful prayer!
In John chapter 16, Jesus explained to the disciples the work of the Holy Spirit. He explained that the Spirit would expose the guilt of the world and guide them into all truth. Jesus went on to call him the Spirit of Truth and to say that he would speak only what he hears from the Father. In simple terms, the Spirit is the way that God chooses to speak to us. He first speaks to us about our sinfulness and need of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. Then, after we accept that grace, the Counselor speaks to us and helps us to understand God and his will in our lives. In 1 Corinthians chapter 2, Paul explains to the early church that we receive the Spirit so that we can understand what God has given us and that without the Spirit it seems like foolishness. He goes on to say that through the Spirit, we have the mind of Christ.
Got the Spirit? (Has there been a point in your life where you came face to face with your guilt?) Jesus said that the Spirit would expose the guilt of the world and that is the work of the Spirit not the power of persuasion of men. If you cannot look back on your life and see this point, you need to push the RESET BUTTON on your life.
Got the Spirit? If you have the Holy Spirit, it will be evident to yourself as well as to those around you because you will display some characteristics in increasing measure.
In Galatians 5, we are given a list of "fruit of the Spirit". Picture an olive tree, because it is an olive tree, it produces olives than can be eaten or pressed for oil for cooking and other things.
Because we have the Holy Spirit living in us, we too can expect there to be fruit that is useful as in that list. Love, joy, & peace are the first three and they are all directed to us from the Spirit. Patience, kindness & goodness are traits that the Spirit helps us to direct towards others. Faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control all traits that the Spirit enable us to direct towards God. (Note: gentleness refers to our willingness to do God's will and not fight the Spirit) To evaluate our walk, we can ask ourselves each day how we are doing in each type of fruit. God makes us grow and so we can trust Him to bring us to maturity.
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