“The Holy Spirit And You”

From the moment of our spiritual birth from above (John 3:3-6), the true Christian can/should be spiritual (i.e. rightly related to God the Holy Spirit). Of the seven ministries of the Holy Spirit, two are related to the unsaved people of this world, four are related to all Christians, and one ministry is to a believer who is rightly adjusted to God the Holy Spirit. – Dr. Lewis S. Chafer, He That Is Spiritual, p. 23. Let’s consider these important things He does and how they relate to you.

He Restrains. Have you ever wondered why “all hell doesn’t break loose” and man doesn’t accidentally or deliberately destroy himself from off the face of the earth? We’re told that man has within his arsenals enough chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons to destroy all life on earth several times over. But God who is all powerful won’t allow this to happen. Even though the social elites of this earth want to diminish the population down to about 500,000 people to make life more sustainable on earth, God won’t allow these people to wipe all life from planet earth. The Scriptures tell us that over one half of the world’s population will be killed during the seven years of the tribulation (Revelation 6:8; 9:15). But there is currently Someone restraining the lawless Antichrist (Daniel 7:24-26; 9:27; Revelation 13:4) from taking over and ruling the whole earth until the appointed time after the Holy Spirit and the true Church departs at the time of the Rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). That Person is God the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8) who is resident here on earth in the bodies of believers (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).

The Unholy Trinity. During the seven years of the tribulation (Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 30:7) the unholy trinity, which consists of the Devil himself, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet (Revelation 13; 19:20; 20:10) will be allowed to rule over the whole earth. The Antichrist will be propelled into power by the Apostate Church (Revelation 17, 18) and the 10 kings from the revived Roman Empire (Revelation 13:1). This is a time when you won’t want to be here on earth. Do you know how you can avoid this period in human history without dying?

He Convicts. When the Holy Spirit came to reside on earth on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-3), after Christ ascended back to heaven and sat down at the Father’s right hand (Ephesians 1:20), He began to convict the ones whom the Father gave to the Son of three things (John 6:37, 44; 16:8-11). First, the sin of unbelief (John 3:16, 18, 36; Acts 16:31). This is the only sin that will keep a person out of heaven. Secondly, the Holy Spirit convicts these people of their need to have Christ’s righteousness to enter heaven (Romans 4:3-5, 16, 24, 25). This righteousness is imputed to the believer’s account at the moment of salvation. Finally, the Holy Spirit convicts of judgment to come on all those who reject God’s offer of salvation that is extended to all mankind (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 20:11-15).

He Regenerates. Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior through the Gospel message that Christ died for our sins…and rose again bodily on the third day will be born again from above (John 3:6; Titus 3:5). These same people participate in the Divine nature (1 Peter 1:4) and are enabled to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9). We become heirs and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).

He Indwells. Prior to the Day of Pentecost God the Holy Spirit came upon some men for special purposes but He could also leave them later at His will.  But today the Holy Spirit can’t/won’t ever leave or forsake a true believer in Jesus Christ (John 14:17; Acts 5:32; Romans 5:5; 8:9). The Christian’s body is His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; 12:13). We can’t get rid of Him. He goes everywhere we go and knows everything about us because He is omniscient and all powerful (Acts 5:3). By virtue of the fact that every true Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he is also anointed by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27).

He Baptizes. Scripture mentions several kinds of baptisms. Some are dry and others involve water where the believer gets wet by being immersed (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Acts 8:38). The baptism of the Spirit places a believer into the spiritual “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:13). Those in the Body are expected to function with the spiritual gift that each one has been given (1 Peter 4:10) and do the good works that God planned for us to do while we are here on earth (Ephesians 2:10). If you’re a Christian, do you know what your spiritual gift is and are you using it with love (1 Corinthians 13)? Do you know which gifts are temporary and which ones are extant?

He Seals. Once we become legitimate children of God (Hebrews 12:5-11), we are safe and secure forever. Nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39). We are in God the Father’s and God the Son’s all powerful hands (John 19:28, 29; Revelation 1:8). God the Holy Spirit also wraps us up and puts His seal on us and it can’t be broken by anyone or anything (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22).

He Fills. This ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit takes place in the lives of Christians who are not grieving (Ephesians 5:30) or quenching the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) through sinful activities that haven’t been confessed to God and others against whom we have sinned (1 John 1:9; James 5:16). This ministry involves His making up in our lives where we are lacking and producing the “Fruit of the Spirit” in our lives (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22, 23). These nine parts of the “Fruit of the Spirit” must be directed at the right objects at the right time. It’s possible for maturing believers to misdirect this fruit toward the wrong objects (1 John 2:15-17). God wants us to allow His life to be seen through our lives (Galatians 4;19). Do others see God’s life flowing through you? If not, why?

Questions? Have you placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Have you been born again from above? Do you know that the Holy Spirit dwells in you and baptized you into Christ for a reason? Are you delighted to know that you are sealed to the day of redemption? Are you being filled by Him on a regular basis? Do others see Christ living through you as you display the “Fruit of the Spirit” in your life?

Help. We’re here to assist those who are teachable and willing to change (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17). We can be reached at 805-238-7665.  To receive future articles as they come out, click of “Follow.”