Spirit-Driven is Gospel-Driven

I wanted to enter a blog post on the work of the Holy Spirit in our life.  It is one of the most overlooked aspects of a Christian’s life, mainly because our sinfulness wants to think we can do it on our own and be in control.  Also, the concept is hard for us to grasp. 

Jesus promised before His ascension that a “Helper” and “Counselor” is coming (John Chapter 14).  He was referring to the presence of the Holy Spirit in His children.  The book of Acts has example after example of how the Holy Spirit works in us.  A person cannot say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 12:3).  This means that any of us that put our Faith in Jesus’ saving work on the Cross do it from the GIFT of the Spirit in us from the Father.  The examples we see in Acts and beyond into the New Testament, are precisely the ways the Spirit works in us.  Our prayers should be based on asking God to work in us through the Holy Spirit.  So our question would be what is the Spirit’s main work in us?

John 16:7 basically tells us that the Holy Spirit was sent to be with us in Jesus’ place.  Jesus is no longer present as He was in the gospels.  That responsibility now falls on the God-sent Spirit.  It’s unimaginable for us as humans, an invisible God dwelling in us.  Our interpreting scripture, growing in grace and in our prayer life, is all the work of the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the reality of God being in our life.  It is a huge responsibility for the most under-valued part of the Holy Trinity.  It is Jesus’ Spirit (The Spirit of the Lord) that brings us freedom (2 Cor. 3:17).  It also gives life to the dead, our only Hope.

As I have stated in other posts, the Holy Spirit doesn’t convict us to shame and guilt for us to change.  He convicts us to push us back to remembrance of the gospel of grace for repentance and changed hearts.  This gives us Hope, Joy, and Thankfulness towards a God that loves us that much.  Being sinful, we need this reminder daily throughout our life.  The presence of the living Spirit in us is essential to a Gospel-Driven life.  A Gospel-Driven life is essential to the Freedom Jesus came to give us (Luke 4:18).

So as you reflect on these truths remember that we are saved by rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, making us justified by His grace (Titus 3:4-7).  

      

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor. 13:14)  Amen.