THANKFUL FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the SPIRIT of TRUTH” – John 14:16-17a

Along with Salvation in Christ, we must be THANKFUL for the HOLY SPIRIT: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He DWELLS WITH YOU and will be IN YOU.” (John 14: 16-17). The Holy Spirit comes to live within us when by faith through grace we accept Jesus’ death on the Cross as the payment in full for our sins, receive His forgiveness, and accept Him as our Savior and Lord. From the Gospels, through the book of Acts, and all the way to Revelation, we learn that the Holy Spirit is central to our lives as Believers. We must be thankful for the Holy Spirit and His many functions in our lives, as much as we are for our Saviour Jesus. He is our:

Helper: Comforter and Encourager (vv.16-17).

Regenerator: “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the SPIRIT, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jh.3:5). When we put our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, Holy Spirit is the One who opens our heart and imparts life.

Empowerer: “But you shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me...” (Acts 1:8). The Lord earlier promised in Luke 24:49.

Teacher: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will TEACH you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (Jh.14:26). He exposes and keeps us from deception, and instructs us in God’s Truth (1Cor.2:13).  

Guide: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). He leads us along God’s ordained paths in life.

Intercessor: “Likewise the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26). His prayers always line up with God’s Perfect Will.    

Sanctifier: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of theblood of Jesus Christ...” (1 Pet.1:2). He works in us to make us look more like Jesus. And there is so much more. 

Not only are we blessed with the Presence of Christ, we are also blessed with the power of the Indwelling Holy Spirit. Let’s pause in our busy days, and be grateful for Who the Holy Spirit is, for all He does in our lives, and for His forever indwelling Presence! Thanks be to God for the Gift of His Spirit!