Often called the Forgotten God, because unless you attend a pentecostal church environment, the Holy Spirit is often neglected in the average American church environment. However the Holy Spirit is the dominant member of the triune Godhead today. Of course all three members of the Godhead are eternally significant. But what Jesus did in thirty plus years offered Grace to all mankind, past, present, and future. And while we see some references to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, it was the Heavenly Father who is most commonly referenced. Though since that day at Pentecost recorded in Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit has been on the scene, alive in believers, and working on the earth like never before!
So why do we forget about the Holy Spirit? Let’s get to know God’s Holy Spirit now, by looking at what God’s Word has to say.
John 3:8 – The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit
In the original languages, the words for “Spirit” and “wind” can often be used interchangeably, and I think it is no coincidence. Here where the Holy Spirit’s believers are metaphorically compared to wind, it makes us think. You can always feel the winds presence, and see its effect on the world, but you don’t see it itself, nor can you tell where it came from.
1 Corinthians 3:16 – Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
We latter day believers have a blessing that believers before Christ did not have. In the past, one would have to practically hire a priest to go to God for them, and only the priest could go into the “holiest of holies” room of the temple where God resided on earth. BUT NOW we actually get to go to God ourselves directly, because the one true mediator between God and men has come, and left behind Him the Holy Spirit who dwells inside the believers heart. Today we can go to God’s Holy Spirit directly!
Romans 8: 16 – The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
The Spirit testifies on our behalf, while our enemy Satan accuses us trying to condemn us for our sin. And with Christ as our judge, we can rest assured of our inheritance in God’s kingdom.
Romans 8:14 – For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God
Paul (the writer of Romans) gives us an indicator of our salvation. If we follow after the things of this world, we are enemies of God, but if we are led by the Holy Spirit, we are God’s children and heirs of His kingdom.
John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
If we let the Holy Spirit influence our conscience, we will always be discerning the Will of God. The Holy Spirit also wants to influence our minds as we try to learn from the Bible, and when we need to point out truth from lies disguised as truth. In this world of many influences, it is crucial that we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Holy Spirit IS trying to speak to you. If you do not hear from God, it is not because He is not talking. It is because you are not tuned into the right channel.
Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Do you know anybody who speaks multiple languages? If so, then you may know how some things are hard to translate. For example, you may try to say something you in Spanish that does not make sense to say in English. Well, when we pray to God in our human language, we have the Holy Spirit who translates for us. We might not even know what to pray for, but with the infusion of power in our prayers that comes from the Holy Spirit, God receives the message loud and clear.
Let us take this time to praise the Lord for His Holy Spirit, and thank Him for His indwelling our hearts in a way that has been reserved for modern day believers on earth after Christs life, death and resurrection.
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