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Tthe Holy Spirit is God
Posted : 4 Nov, 2011 07:58 AM
The Work of the Holy Spirit in the World & the Believer
William Randolph Hearst was one of the wealthiest men in the world. A passionate collector of fine art, one day he was pouring through a catalog of fine and rare paintings, and he came upon a piece he just had to have. So he instructed his purchasing agent to do whatever it took to find it. After a long and difficult search, the man found it�in Hearst's own collection! He already possessed the painting, but he had so much in his collection, he didn't even know it was there.
Spiritually speaking, many of us are like Mr. Hearst. We do not know all that the Holy Spirit has done for us now that we have committed our lives to Jesus Christ. As a result, we live as "spiritual paupers" in this life, never realizing how "rich" we are in Christ. It's much like living below the poverty level when you actually have $10 million in your checking account.
In this study, we will look at the work of the Holy Spirit in the world and in the life of the believer.
A. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the World
Read John 16:7-11;13-15.
1. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin (vv. 8-9).
The Holy Spirit convicts, or convinces, the world of sin by producing in people a sense of guilt and wrongdoing. He uses this conviction to cause nonbelievers to see their need for Jesus Christ. Some well-meaning but misguided believers turn to �pressure tactics� to lead someone to the Lord. Yet, we can actually hinder the process of conversion when we interfere with the Holy Spirit's work in this way. Only the Holy Spirit can prepare a person's heart for conversion.
What happens to those who resist the Holy Spirit's conviction?
We often hear that �good people� go to heaven while �bad people� go to hell. Yet, this passage dearly shows that "goodness" and "badness" is not the determining factor.
A person's eternal destiny is not so much a sin question as it is the Son question.
The worst possible sin is to ignore the Holy Spirit's conviction and to refuse to believe in Jesus (v. 9). Once we have heard the gospel, knowledge brings responsibility. Jesus said,
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin" (John l 5:22).
The Holy Spirit will convict a person only so long. When a person no longer feels any guilt or remorse for his or her sin, it is an indication that this person is no longer under the Spirit's conviction. By refusing to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, this individual is calling the Holy Spirit a liar, and he stands condemned (John 3:36; 1 John 5:l0).
2. The Holy Spirit convinces the world of righteousness (v. 10).
Before a person can totally appreciate the incredible love of God, he must first see his utter depravity and desperate need for a Savior. To the proud, self-confident person who thinks that he does not need Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes with His convicting, convincing power and sets him straight. Our own "righteousness" will never meet up to God's requirements (Matthew 5:20). Without Christ, the Holy Spirit shows us that we are "unrighteous," and therefore unable to "inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9).
3. The Holy Spirit convinces the world of judgment (v. 11).
Jesus is not speaking of some future judgment, but of a judgment that has already taken place. The "Prince of this world" (Satan) was judged when Jesus went to the cross of Calvary and died in our place. Satan essentially lost the power he had over us to force us to do what was against God. The Holy Spirit wants us to be aware of this great truth.
4. The Holy Spirit stops the wholesale spread of evil (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
You might say that the Holy Spirit "keeps a lid on things." His work through the Church is a restraining force in the world today. While we see an escalation in wanton, senseless violence and an increasing disregard for human life, it is nothing compared to what the world will see in the last days when Jesus takes His Church out of this world.
"For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
Once the Holy Spirit's unique work through the Church ceases (He will still work but not quite in the way we see it now), and no longer restrains evil, the powers of darkness will take over.
How does the Holy Spirit use believers to restrain evil?
Believers act as "salt."
Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men" (Matthew 5:13).
Salt was a preservative in ancient times. To be "salt" means to stand up for what is right and true and to stop the rampant spread of evil in our culture.
Believers act as "light."
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
To be light means to be a witness to others through the good works that we do, to glorify God. It is also to let others know of our faith in Jesus Christ. The proclamation of the gospel is the most effective defensive and offensive weapon in our spiritual arsenal.
B. The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Believer
1. The Holy Spirit brings about the work of conversion (John 3:5; 6:63).
As part of the wonderful process of conversion, the Holy Spirit personally gives us the assurance that Jesus Christ has come into our lives (Romans 8:16), and He indwells us, taking up residence in our hearts (l Corinthians 3:16).
2. The Holy Spirit seals us (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Scripture tells us that once we believed in Christ, we "were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians l:l3). This description alludes to the royal seal of a king used in ancient times. Anything stamped with the king's seal signified a unique mark of ownership. In the same way, God has put His "royal seal" upon us: the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives.
When the devil comes to make havoc of our lives, he is stopped cold by that seal of ownership.
The Holy Spirit is also called the "deposit guaranteeing our inheritance" (Ephesians 1:l4). Much like putting money down to "hold" a piece of merchandise until you can make full payment, God gives us the deposit�or down payment �of the Holy Spirit to show that He means business! He guarantees our future inheritance: eternal life in heaven with Him.
3. The Holy Spirit teaches us (John 14:26).
As we read and study Scripture, the Holy Spirit can give us incredible insights into what God's Word says and means to us today. While some passages can be difficult to grasp, the same Holy Spirit who inspired the Scripture can illuminate its words for our benefit (l Corinthians 2:13). He may also bring verses to mind when you are ministering to a fellow believer, giving that person a greater understanding of the Bible.
4. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray (Romans 8:26-27).
Many times we are disappointed when God does not answer our prayers the way that we want. Some will even abandon their relationship with Him and give up altogether. Perhaps we do not understand the true objective of prayer:
Prayer is not a means by which you change the mind or will of God�it is a means by which God changes you!
True prayer moves in a cycle:
It begins in the heart of God, with His purposes and desires;
God then places those desires in your heart;
Then you express those desires back to God in prayer.
As God's Word says, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Your prayer life will become more in tune with God's will the more that you abide in Him and allow His Holy Spirit to be at home in your heart (John 1 5:7). And for those times when you don't know how to pray-when all you can do is utter a simple groan-the Holy Spirit will intercede on your behalf (Romans 8:26).
Just think, the Holy Spirit has converted, assured and sealed you, all the while continuing to teach you and help you in your prayers. So rejoice! Your "spiritual checking account" is more full than you may have thought.
By Greg Laury
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