Unlocking the Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the key to unlocking the benefits of Christ’s work in our lives. Without the Spirit, we cannot experience the fullness of salvation. In fact, the Spirit performs at least seven essential functions in our journey towards redemption.
Exposing Sin and Bringing Conviction
The Holy Spirit acts as a searchlight, exposing the darkness of sin and calling people to repentance. As Jesus told Nicodemus, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). This regenerating work of the Spirit is essential for our salvation.
Enabling Spiritual Understanding
The Holy Spirit grants us spiritual discernment, enabling us to understand the things of God (1 Cor. 2:12-14). He pours God’s love into our hearts, assuring us that we are loved and accepted by God (Rom. 5:5). The Spirit also enables us to believe in the promises of God, giving us the faith to trust in Him.
Applying Christ’s Benefits
The Holy Spirit applies the benefits of Christ’s work to our lives, uniting us to Christ and making us partakers of His divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). As Calvin said, “The Holy Spirit is the bond by which Christ effectually unites us to himself.” When we have the Spirit, we have Christ, and when we have Christ, we have the Spirit.
Glorifying Christ
The Holy Spirit’s mission is to glorify Christ, taking what is His and declaring it to us (John 16:14). The Spirit does not work independently of Christ, but rather serves to magnify Him. This means that our focus on Christ is evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives.
Empowering Ministry
The Holy Spirit gives believers gifts for ministry, building up the church and edifying others (1 Cor. 12:7, 14:12, 26). These gifts are not for personal gain, but for the common good of the body of Christ.
Sealing Our Salvation
The Holy Spirit seals our salvation, authenticating us as true believers, securing our eternal safety, and marking us as belonging to God (Eph. 1:13-14). This sealing is not a second blessing, but rather a declarative fact that occurs at the moment of salvation.
Assuring Our Hearts
The Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation, bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16). He pours God’s love into our hearts, giving us an inner authentication that we are forgiven and loved by God.
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