What have we learned?
The Holy Spirit is God. While it is important to understand the unique purpose of each member of the Trinity, it is especially true with regard to the critical role the Holy Spirit plays in the believer’s daily faith walk.
The Holy Spirit’s work as the third person of the Trinity is, not only, to make known God the Father and Jesus Christ, but also to continue the work of salvation in the life of believers. Most important being achieving God’s purpose in their life.
It is the Holy Spirit who can accomplish the transformational work of sanctification in our lives. Only the Holy Spirit can change us from “the inside out” (Phil. 1:6). As we grow in the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, we develop a personal relationship with God’s Spirit. The more time we spend with Him, the more we begin to look like Him—being conformed to Jesus’ image (Rom. 8:29).
Our conversion can, however, be hindered by our quenching or grieving the Spirit. What are those behaviors, habits, or thoughts that we continue to hold on to that impede our relationship with God? Unforgiveness, cravings of the flesh, and/or pride in our achievements and possessions?
Life lived in the Spirit
We would do well to be intentional in submitting to God and in acknowledging His presence in our lives. Life for believers is to be lived coram Deo: In the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.
This life cannot be lived in our power or our strength (Rom. 7:22-25). It is ONLY THROUGH the Holy Spirit’s filling that we can live holy and righteous lives (Phil. 4:13). And the result of that filling is an abundant life evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Gal. 5:22-23, KJV).
The Holy Spirit living within us leads, guides, and empowers us to accomplish the purpose which God pre-ordained before the foundations of the world (1 Pet. 1:20). He ensures God’s will is realized in our lives. He will always lead us in the way that results in God’s purpose. As the Spirit occupies more of our life, we receive “exceeding great and precious promises that are ours as partakers of God’s divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4).
What will we do with the Holy Spirit?
In this study, we recommended several books to expand our “head knowledge” about the third person of the Godhead. More importantly, we pray that we have created a greater desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
We begin that relationship through reading and meditating on God’s Word. God’s Word and the Holy Spirit are the only means by which we can understand God’s will. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks to our spirit. It may be felt as a gentle nudging, counsel from a Christian friend, or even a closed door to an opportunity. The Holy Spirit is always there to lead us to God’s purpose and our destiny.
We close with this recommendation from the great theologian and teacher, the late Dr. Charles F. Stanley from His book, The Spirit-filled Life: Discover the Joy of Surrendering to the Holy Spirit.
A Spirit-filled life is a life of dependency on and sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Distinguishing him from the messages around us is no easy task. But it is essential for our survival. And it is essential for the survival of the church.
Within you is housed the power necessary to face whatever life throws your way, for you are a recipient of the life of Christ. Through the person of the Holy Spirit, He longs to express his life through your personality, your lips and your hands. You have been granted the incredible privilege of being his representative on earth.
What will we do with the Holy Spirit?