THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (I)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 NIV
The Bible teaches us that conversion includes the forgiveness of sin and being declared righteous and holy before God, however we are expected to keep growing into Christlikeness through sanctification. The work of sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit from beginning to end. It is instantaneous because confessing Christ as Lord and Savior declares us righteous and holy before God, but progressive because we still possess a sinful nature and do sin (1 John 1:8).
The person of the Holy Spirit is who keeps us tamed and anchored to the nature of Christ that is imputed to us through faith. It is what causes our actions to change, our behavior to change, our thoughts to change and our hearts to love our neighbors.
While sin will only be entirely absent when Christ returns, it is possible by the Spirit that a man’s ways will please the Lord if such a man is completely yielded to the leading of the Holy one, responding to his convictions and to the voice that says “this is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21).
Child of God, you were never left helpless. God is an ever present help in time of need, and that it through His spirit in you. People that are seated side by side don’t need to be loud to hear each other, so it is with the Holy Spirit, God has drawn closer than your own thoughts.
The more you respond, the more he takes delight in instructing you. The less you respond, the more faint the voice gets! Let it never be said of you that you hardened your heart to the very voice of God! Hallelujah.
Prayer: Father I thank you for this truth. I have given my self wholly to the counsel and leading of the spirit and I testify to be going from grace to grace and glory to glory. I walk diligently, applying my self to his teaching that I may not grieve my helper. I move with precision, redeeming the time through his holy spirit, in Jesus name!
CI.