My Sunday School Class has been studying the Holy Spirit recently, and it has been a wake up call for me. I didn’t realize I had drifted. I used to be the first to tell others to leave room for the Holy Spirit to work, and yet, I found myself not doing that myself at times. The Holy Spirit, an often neglected part of the Trinity, is vitally important to our life here on earth. He is in believers. But, just like I must turn a switch to access power for my computer, I must tune in and turn on that power I’m already plugged in to. The Spirit is our Need-Meeter in every way as we walk this earth. How often do we forget we have the power if we would only access it?
English: Gian Lorenzo Bernini – Dove of the Holy Spirit (ca. 1660, stained glass, Throne of St. Peter, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Who is the Holy Spirit?
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. He was sent to us when Jesus ascended to the Father to be our helper and much more. He is the presence of Christ in our lives and teaches us all things we need to know, if we will but listen.
Why was His coming so important?
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7 Jesus told his disciples, sad that He was leaving, the importance of His departure. Jesus had to go so God could send the Comforter to them, the person of God they would need to do the work He had called them to do.
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:4-5 The Holy Spirit was (is) the promise of the Father. In other words, He is the guarantee of God’s promises.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 I don’t know about you, but that makes me excited!
Three Important Tasks of the Holy Spirit
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. John 16:8-11
>He will reprove the world of sin. He is that one who convicts of sin. He shows us that we are in the wrong and need a Savior. He doesn’t convict us to make us feel bad, although that is a part of conviction. He convicts us so we will trust Christ and be set free from our sin.
>and of righteousness. One way He does this is to show that Jesus was and is righteous. Another way it convicts us is in showing us the righteousness we have in Christ. When we give Him our sin, He gives us His righteousness. No longer do we stand before God or man in our own righteousness (inadequate at best). We stand in Jesus righteousness! The Spirit reminds us of this when we hear that whisper in our ear that says “you are not worthy”. Of course we’re not worthy, but He is, and it is He that is judged for our sin, not us. So we can stand boldly before God and man clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. The Spirit points us to righteousness and away from unrighteousness as well. Even though we are righteous before God, we can still slip into unrighteous living. The Holy Spirit convicts us about what Jesus expects of us to bring us back to righteous living.
The spirit works in the lives of unbelievers to point out their need for Christ. He continues that work in believers to cultivate a life of righteousness.
>and of judgment. The Spirit also reminds of the final end for those who do not trust in Christ. Satan and his band have been judged. Hell was made for them. God does not want people to go to hell, so He made a way for us to escape the judgment. The Spirit shows us that we must forsake unbelief and unrighteousness in order to avoid the coming judgment.
Are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life? Do you access the power, ignore it, or refuse it? The Holy Spirit does much more than this, but that’s for another post. Ask the Spirit to show His power in your life today.
Jul 28, 2012 @ 22:56:39
Absolutely. The Holy Spirit is where the power is for our Christian life and where I find the energy to do ministry at all. He works in hearts and teaches in ways I never could. We would be in trouble without Him.
Jul 28, 2012 @ 23:06:52
Yes, you have to wonder how many churches (Christians) leave Him out of the equation. I’ve seen it time and again – people plan, but the Holy Spirit comes along and blows us away — when we let Him. Trying to teach this to middle schoolers – have to let the Holy Spirit do His thing.
Jul 29, 2012 @ 13:27:12
your wise words convict me today…..I have learned that it indeed takes more faith to wait for the direction of the spirit, then it does to do anything I could do on my own….I need to check my “plug” daily!
Jul 29, 2012 @ 22:31:40
Jul 30, 2012 @ 10:51:53
amen Angie……I thought God was just giving me things to blog….when all the while, he was teaching me!
God bless!
Jul 30, 2012 @ 12:07:30
He never misses an opportunity to teach – that’s why He’s such a great Father! among other things lol. Angie
Jul 30, 2012 @ 12:29:21
amen….I look forward to more teaching (no pressure)
Jul 30, 2012 @ 19:58:30
Hi Angie, a great message encouraging us to see the reality of the need for the Holy Spirit in our lives and yes He does convict of sin because without His presence, if our hearts are not hard, we have guilt and shame but He takes this away.
Hebrews 10: 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
I can relate very much to the woman caught in Adultery with being a sinner who was judged by others unlovingly, Jesus does not condemn and yet He has every right to, He never sinned, but He did say to this woman, go and sin no more and He would not of said this if it was impossible and we know that it isn’t, in Christ Jesus no temptation will be greater then we can bear so we can choose not to sin and Jesus empowers us so we don’t, the Devil flees when we come close to God.
What if we see others sinning in the Body of Christ, God tells us to warn them and we will if we Love them, they are in danger but we do so in Love and for Love and also remembering that we were forgiven of great sin so who are we to point the finger critically at them.
1 John 3:9 No one who is Born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been Born of God.
1 John 5:18-20 We know that no one who is Born of God sins; but He who was Born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Christian Love from both of us- Anne
Jul 30, 2012 @ 20:06:32
P.S Angie, I posted that story I promised you, I hope it was allright to link back to you.
Blog Post – http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/weve-always-done-it-this-way/
Kind regards Anne.
Jul 30, 2012 @ 21:40:52
Link backs are fine
. I read and commented there. I have a feeling we Christians do not fully understand sin after grace. Without the law, there is no sin. Something I’m cogitating for a post right now. I always take the go and sin no more as not commit adultery any more. But, He did not seem to qualify it, so I’ll grant you that. The Holy Spirit gives us what we need to resist the wiles of satan. He is our strength, teacher, and so much more. 
Jul 30, 2012 @ 22:52:43
Thank you for your comment Angie on my Post , keep thinking!
In reply to your comment above, one thing Angie as we know is that God asks us to reason together, we are not to argue or even agree to disagree, we are to reason according to His Truth not our own understanding or others, what we need to do is look at the Scriptures not what we have been taught or think is True instead but sadly so many do this and that is why there is so much error and as I’m sure you will agree… The Holy Spirit does not say one thing to one person and something differant to another when they contradicts.
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As we can see in this Scripture …Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law….We do keep the Law if we are Born again of God’s seed but in God’s strength not our own, we have been set free from sin and in Christ Jesus we no longer sin, no temptation is greater then we can bear because we have put our flesh to death that causes us to sin, when we are declared righteousness we will show that we are righteous in our words and actions choosing to be perfected in Love.
1 John 3:4-10 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.
Christian Love Anne.
Jul 31, 2012 @ 02:19:18
I think the Holy Spirit has to continually hit me over the head. Because I’m frequently having..”OH, I see moments.” And of course, up until that time, I was all la-de-da, walking around stupid. God is good to love us just as we are, isn’t He?
Jul 31, 2012 @ 12:12:20
I love that “la-de-da, walking around stupid”. That about covers it lol. Yes, He looks at the finished product and is VERY patient with the process. There have been times when I’ve asked God to show me something about myself. He does and I ask Him to stop because it’s too much for me to bear all at once. He knows the whens and the hows. So glad it’s in His hands and not mine!!!!