WEDNESDAY JULY 16 The Work of the Holy Spirit We have already mentioned the important role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the incarnated Christ and in the inspiration of Scripture. Let us focus now on what Jesus taught about the Spirit’s work for our salvation. What indispensable work does the Holy Spirit do in order to prepare us to accept the Savior? See John 16:8. Who takes their medicine unless they acknowledge that they are sick? By the same token, we cannot be saved unless we recognize that we are sinners. Softly but steadily the Holy Spirit convinces us that we have sinned, are guilty, and are under the righteous judgment of God.Then the Spirit guides us to Christ, testifying about Him (John 15:26), the only One who can save us. Since Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6), by taking us to Jesus, the Spirit is also taking us “into all truth” (John 16:13). It could not be any other way; after all, the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:17). Once we are convicted of sin (which implies repentance from our sins) and are directed to Jesus and His truth, we are ready for the Holy Spirit to do His greatest work. Why is it so crucial to be “born of the Spirit”? See John 3:5–8. Those who have tried to reform their lives by themselves know how futile their efforts are. It is impossible for us, without divine intervention, to transform our deteriorated sinful lives into new beings. The regeneration of a sinner requires the kind of creative power that only the divine Holy Spirit can provide. We are saved “through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5, NKJV). What the Spirit does is not a modification or improvement of the old life but a transformation of nature, the creation of a new life. The results of such a miracle are clearly visible and constitute an irrefutable argument in favor of the gospel.The operation of the Holy Spirit is not necessary only at the begin-ning of our Christian life; we need Him constantly. To foster our spiri-tual growth, He teaches us and reminds us of all the things that Jesus taught (John 14:26). If we allow Him, He abides with us forever as our Helper, Comforter, and Counselor (vs. 16). Bad character habits are hard to change, are they not? And even when we stop, unless constantly vigilant, we can be overcome by them again, as well. What should our inherent weaknesses and propensities to sin tell us about our constant need to be surren-dered to the Holy Spirit? Help support future releases of this app.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 06:15:11 +0000
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