The Gift of God's Spirit

There's a song from the past by Twila Paris I always liked - "Lamb of God."  A line in this song says:  "Your Gift of Love, they crucified - You have sent Him from Your side..."

It reminds me of John where it is written of our Lord Jesus, that He existed with the Father in glory before He became flesh among men.  He was sent from the Father.  He dwelt among men - and later John and Peter also write that "We beheld His glory - the only begotten of the Father..."

We all rejoice in the gift of Christ, His cross and all this means.  Yes, God's Gift of Love.

And yet God has sent "another" from His side:  The Holy Spirit.  And He is God's Gift of Love.  How did we receive Him?  By simply believing the message of the Gospel.  As Ephesians says:  "After you heard the Gospel of your salvation, you believed - in whom also after you believed, you were sealed with the Spirit of promise."  Ephesians 1:13

Some people truly do not have a relationship and/or communion, fellowship with the Holy Spirit.  It's more "distant" with the Father above and the Lord Jesus Christ now risen and seated by the Majesty on High.  And for some (I did this too in earlier years, because it's all I knew), it's a relationship with facts and concepts only.

But God sent His Holy Spirit - the promise of the Father as Jesus told would be sent, when He was here on earth. Knowing both the Word of God and God's Spirit are important to Him. 

What is the Holy Spirit's ministry to us today? (II Corinthians 3:4-11 - take time to read) 

He is leading and guiding us into ALL Truth, He is our Comforter, the Power of the Lord's resurrection (the same Spirit that rose Christ from the dead - (Ephesians 1:19,20), He is the One who leads in all things, (Romans 8 and Galatians 5) He is the Fruit Bearer, the One who gives wisdom and insight into all things, especially God's Word (Ephesians 1: 16-18)

Why would one ignore the Presence of God's Spirit within them?

Perhaps it is because many may not want the accountability to the Person Who should matter most of all to us, or are fearful.  

Or maybe we've grown dull to His Presence and find it hard to recognize His ministry within our hearts.  For instance, when He really is guiding us, wooing us, wanting to illumine our minds with Truth, etc.  Or tugging at us when He is leading one way, and we're confused and going another.  The Spirit is Truth, but He is Love.

I found that the best way I could recognize that I am abiding in the Lord and in a state of "listening" for Him is how much peace I am experiencing.   For I do not think the Spirit within us is constantly "chattering away," with words and sentences.  For me, I mainly experience insights that come and with those insights, great peace and spiritual understanding. 

The main thing is to acknowledge His presence daily, continually.  Even King David wrote:  "In ALL thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct your paths."

It's hard to explain sometimes however, I do know that God answers us when we simply tell Him that we need Him and want to know the ONE who dwells within us.  And I know God does want us to know His Perfect Love, Truth, and not be fearful of Him - ever!

Some say that reading the Scriptures, memorizing it, is the same thing as the Spirit of God.  I disagree.  It just makes sense that if He has been sent into my heart and is the One Who guides into all Truth, He has to be the ONE in whom I am dependent to read and study His Word so I can KNOW Truth.

The Spirit of God is a Person.  He is Spirit.  And He does take God's Word and give us God's teaching in Truth and Life.  (I John 2:27).  When I was younger in the faith, I did need stronger Christians to help me know the Lord.   I still listen to those who have walked longer and further than me.  But God does want us all to learn to walk in Him for ourselves, as well as getting to know Him, who dwells within our hearts.

Thank God for the Scriptures (a/k/a the Bible).  May we love His Book.  But may we also love the Gift God sent from His side, into our hearts to lead us all the way home to glory: His Holy Spirit.   

Sue Gaither