Spiritual Disclosure

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live the Christian life, but that is not His only work. We are never instructed to pursue power, because we already have it (see Ephesians 1:18-19). The Holy Spirit is the divine impetus behind our spiritual gifts, but that is probably not the primary work of the Holy Spirit. The church at Corinth seemed to have all the gifts, but they were very immature. We are never instructed to seek spiritual gifts for ourselves, but we are instructed to seek the Giver and allow Him to gift us anyway He chooses. The primary work of the Holy Spirit is to communicate God’s presence with us.

Jesus was physically present with the disciples, but it is better that His physical presence left this earth so He could spiritually indwell believers. Jesus said, “When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). Sin is rebellion against God that reached its climax in the crucifixion of Christ. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin so they would turn to Christ. The Holy Spirit will bring glory to Jesus by making known within us His resurrection and ascension (John 16:14). Finally, the Holy Spirit will also bear witness to the judgment of Satan. “The prince of the world now stands condemned” (vs. 11). Satan knows that his future is doomed and will do all that he can to deceive as many as he can.

Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit came, He would guide us into all truth. He would not speak on His own initiative, but would teach only that which comes from the Father. Jesus said, “He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you” (vs. 14). The Holy Spirit is bearing witness with our Spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16). We have become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). This is the great work of the Holy Spirit; to glorify the work of Jesus and make all this known to us in the inner person. We should begin every day by acknowledging that the presence of God is within us. Then practice His presence throughout the day.

Dr. Neil

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