The Gift of the Holy Spirit

When we place our faith in Jesus, an amazing thing happens: we are given a new life and God's Spirit now indwells us. Jesus used the word "born again" to explain this change.  We are brought from a position of guilt and separation from God to a new relationship with Him.  (John 3:3)   The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity lives in the believer and His presence changes everything.

The Holy Spirit first changes our standing  before God.  He "baptizes us" into the body of Christ, meaning that before Christ we were "not a people of God" (I Peter 2:10), but now in Christ we are "immersed" (literal meaning of baptism) into the family of God.  (I Cor 12:13)  The Holy Spirit also "seals" us for the day of redemption, meaning we have a guarantee that we will be with God forever.  (Eph 1:13)  This new position  before God enables us to call God our Father and have access to Him by faith, meaning that now in Christ I have a personal relationship with Him. (Rom 5:1-2; 8:15)

The Holy Spirit also enables us to experience God's presence in our lives.  Scripture says that He convicts us of sin and works in our lives that we may be set apart from this world and close to God. (John 16:8-14)  He also guides, teaches, reveals and helps us to understand the things of God.  (I Cor 2)  He is called the Comforter and is able to fill us in such a way that our lives may be transformed from being selfish and full of envy to love, joy and peace.

But here is the thing that many believers fail to understand:  though God is in us and present with us through the Holy Spirit, we must avail ourselves to Him.  What that means is that we need to choose to seek God daily.  Each day we have a choice to either walk according to our own desires OR to seek God first and walk with Him.  (Gal 5:16-25)  How do I do that? The way I do that is to spend time with Him in His word and in prayer.  If you are struggling to do that, there are excellent devotional guides available to you.   On top of this blog there are two links to Today in the Word and My Utmost for His Highest.

Finally, let us listen to the words of Jesus, who helps us to understand our need to invite God into our lives each day.   In Revelation 3:20 He said this, "I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door.  I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."  So make a commitment today and open the door of your heart and through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit let God in!