The importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer cannot be overemphasized. Among His many functions that Jesus promised was that He would guide us "into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:13b-15, KJV).
Space limitation do not allow for an exegesis of the Holy Spirit's work, but from the text above, we get a glimpse of His capabilities in the lives of the disciples. Jesus also referred to Him as "the Comforter" (V.7), signifying a personal relationship as well. When Jesus returned to His father, the Holy Spirit became God's representative on earth, continuing to be with His people and facilitating divine exchanges between us and God. It is no wonder that Paul reminded the Roman believers that upon conversion "ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). However as long as the Spirit of God dwells in us, we are exhorted to do everything in, or as guided by, that Spirit: "Walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16); "Live in the Spirit" (5:25); "Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18); and "Love in the Spirit" (Colossians 1:8).
I quite like Paul's exhortation in his first letter to the Corinthians: "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (2:9-12). What better way to live our lives, and carry out our spiritual duties, than to do so as guided by Him who knowest all the things and ways of God? He knows exactly what needs to be done, how we should do them, and how to make known to us what is ours in God. How are you doing in allowing Him to direct your every step?
No comments:
Post a Comment