WONDERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (2)

“However, when He, the SPIRIT of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into all truth” – John 16:13a

The WONDERS of the HOLY SPIRIT among God’s People include His leading, sealing and intercessory ministries: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (Jh.16:12-13). Paul affirms the Holy Spirit’s role in spiritual illumination and revelation:

“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (1Cor.2: 9-12)

Scriptures describe the Nature of the Gift of the Holy Spirit in at least seven ways, each of which is a wonder in itself.

Leading by the Spirit: “For many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom.8:14-16). We need guidance and direction in daily life, so that we might be wise, circumspect, and apply God's truth appropriately. Holy Spirit plays a key role in these: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph.5:15-18). This leading is part of God's providence and should be seen as normal blessing of the Christian life.

Sealing of the Spirit: “in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Eph.1:13b-14). Whoever hears the gosple and believes, is sealed with as the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of his or her salvation: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph.4:30). The Holy Spirit is given to us in a way that guarantees us eternal life: “who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2Cor.1:22). In other words, He ensures that we will always be able to fulfil the conditions required for inheriting eternal life (Eph.3:16-17).

Interceding by the Spirit: “Likewise the Spirit also helps 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. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom.8: 26-27). The Holy Spirit is our paraclete, our helper and intercessor (vv.16-17). It is a great wonder and blessing to know that our prayers, inadequate and unworthy as they sometimes may be, are made presentable to the Father by the Spirit! How wonderfully reassuring it is to have our Helper bring our petitions and praises to God. Through Jesus who is also our advocate and intercessor, we "have access by one Spirit to the Father" (Rom. 8:34; Eph. 2:18).