I never really thought a whole lot about the Holy Spirit. My focus tended to be on God. I prayed to God at night before bed and when I needed supernatural help. I learned about God at church and in school (yes, 10 years of Catholic school!). We never asked if you believed in Jesus; we asked if you believed in God. In college, the philosophy course wasn’t “Does Jesus Exist?” It was “Does God Exist?”
I did think more about Jesus than the Holy Spirit because Jesus is the main character of the New Testament. In our Rooted class, as well as our Sunday sermons, we are taking a deeper look at just who the Holy Spirit is and why he is important.
Thus, today’s question, which I pose to you, is what is your understanding and relationship with the Holy Spirit?
Jesus physically left us to sit at the right hand of the Father. Therefore, he is not and cannot be physically here with us on earth. (A topic for another day…) The Holy Spirit then plays a very important role in our lives.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:16-17
The Holy Spirit is in us and will be with us forever. How amazing is that? But wouldn’t we be better off if Jesus had stayed? We could have interacted with him as the apostles did. Learn from him as his followers learned from his teachings.
When we thought about it, we realized what God did by giving us the Holy Spirit to live in us, guide us, and be with us forever, is truly an amazing gift. Had Jesus stayed on earth, he could not have taught as he did then with the population we have now on this planet. Many would worship him, not as their savior, but as one worships a sports figure, a Hollywood actor, or entertainer.
Where Jesus in his physical form, could be only in one place at a time, the Holy Spirit lives in each of us when we accept Christ as our savior. No matter how large the number of believers grows to be, each one of us can have a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. And still today, there are those that want God. Removed from our schools, home, public places, our society.
From the Holy Spirit, we receive a new life, wisdom to help us think as God thinks, supernatural strength, godly virtues, talents and gifts beyond our abilities to carry out God’s purpose1.
So, I ask you, what is your relationship with the Holy Spirit? Are you being led by him? Are you letting him teach and guide you? Are you letting him help you bear witness? Do you listen when he convicts you of sin?
Before the Holy Spirit came to the apostles, they were afraid. After the Holy Spirit filled them, they began to preach.
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:40-41
Challenge: Be filled with the Holy Spirit and spread the good news!
Recent Comments