“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” —Mother Teresa
The Holy Spirit is God's answer to loneliness and feeling unloved. Romans 5:5 tells us that,
"the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
In Ephesians 3: 14-21 Paul's heartfelt prayer to the Ephesians is that they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to comprehend the enormity of the love of Christ. Paul wants them not to just know about Christ's love but to fully grasp it in their heart of hearts. Paul wants them to be sensitive to the move of the Holy Spirit in their lives. As Jeremy Linneman puts it, "Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is the primary difference between a dry, complacent believer and a warm, passionate one."
The Holy Spirit that lives within us is a witness to God's love for us. He is our paraclete the Bible tells us. Parakletos is a Greek word that refers to legal counsel, like a family attorney. In Romans 8: 26 Paul tells us that the Holy spirit intercedes for us with God. To intercede means to intervene on behalf of another person. When we don't know what to say to God in prayer, when we are so distraught that words just don't seem adequate, the Holy Spirit steps in on our behalf to communicate those innermost thoughts and feelings to God. God in His great love for us gives us this undeserved blessing.
We don't struggle in this life alone, because we have a Comforter. Jesus has much to say about the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter" or as it is sometimes translated, the "Helper". (John 14:16; John 14:26 and John15:26)
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." John 15: 26
Our Comforter comes from, and in fact, proceeds from the Father. This same Holy Spirit who was active at the creation of the world (Genesis 1:2) lives in us as believers. The Holy Spirit according to Jesus in John 16:8, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement. This conviction should lead to repentance and salvation, but when people oppose Jesus, they have no excuse because they have rejected the conviction of the Holy Spirit Himself. In John 16: 13 (a) Jesus also tells us,
" when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth"
The Holy Spirit of God is our guide to know truth. What a great blessing it is to know that if we let Him, He will lead us into all truth.
The Holy Spirit blesses our Christian walk with gifts. These gifts are to be used for others. They are listed in I Corinthians 12: 8-10. They are: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Other gifts are mentioned in Ephesians 4: 7-12. They are: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. In Romans 12: 3-8 we read that different gifts are given according to the grace of God: prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation (encouragers like Barnabas), giving, being a leader and being merciful. The Holy Spirit empowers each of us to live out our calling for God.
A gift, by definition, is something that doesn't necessarily have to be accepted. Perhaps God has given you a gift but you have never exercised it. Perhaps you wonder if you even have any gift at all. You probably know people who seem to be using their gifts, I know I do. I have friends who are great encouragers, friends who are incredibly generous, friends who show mercy, who have great faith, who are teachers of the Word, and on and on.
What is your gift? Have you used it for the benefit of others? Paul begins the First letter to the Corinthians in chapter 1: 4 by saying he hopes the Corinthians (as a whole) are not lacking in any spiritual gifts. The body of Christ needs these gifts to be exercised. This is how we build each other up in faith.
The result of these gifts of the Spirit are the fruits of the Spirit. Our fruit is the proof of who we belong to. Listed in Galatians 5: 22-23 they are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we can imagine a tree, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are its roots and the fruits of the Spirit are the fruits that grow on the tree.
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, in chapter 1: 17-20, he tells the Ephesians that he prays that they be given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Paul prays that the Ephesians will understand the hope they have, the richness of their inheritance and the incomparable power that works in the life of a believer. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, that now Paul says, lives in them. Can we begin to fathom that power? Can we get a glimmer of comprehension that that power truly lives in us?
Jesus told his disciples in Acts 1:8 that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit for a purpose. Jesus says we will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. In Matthew 28: 19 Jesus tells His disciples,
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
What purpose does the Holy Spirit have for your life and your gifts? Whatever purpose it is, the same power lives in us that rose Jesus from the grave, and He will strengthen you for His plans.
Enjoy the beautiful song, "Same Power" by Jeremy Camp. Click here.
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