We are examining the Nature, Work and Person of the Holy Spirit. The purpose is to have a better understanding and appreciation of the Holy Spirit.
While we will highlight the main theological aspect, relating to His deity and attributes, much emphasis will be placed on His work in the lives of the believers. It is heartwarming to know that in the midst of the difficult periods of our lives, we are not abandoned by God.
The Companionship we enjoy with the Holy Spirit
In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Apostle Paul wrote: “ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”
In this article, we will examine the companionship we enjoy with the Holy Spirit. In these two verses, the apostle Paul identifies some glorious truths about the Holy Spirit, which we probably have never fully realized.
Often, we are unconscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit and His working in our lives. Consequently, we pilot the daily course of our lives oblivious of His presence and His eagerness to guide and lead us into all truths. John 16:13 expresses this truth very clearly.
The Spirit of Truth
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come”. (John 16:13)
Living in the consciousness of the presence of the Holy Spirit and His works in our lives produces faith and confidence in God. Moreover, it generates emotional and spiritual stability, ingredients that we are in dire need of, especially in these challenging days, which now confronts us.
The still small voice
There was an event involving Elijah and found in 1 Kings 19:12. “And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” This is an example of how the Holy Spirit speaks to us. In the case of Elijah, He was not in the mighty and great strong wind nor was He in the earthquake or the fire but in a very “still small voice.”
Another translation renders it, “a gentle whisper”, and still another, “a soft gentle voice.” Such a tender and gentle whisper can be easily missed, sidetracked or even offensively rejected.
Quenching the Holy Spirit
The apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:19 reminds us, “Do not quench the Spirit.” However, at the same time, we must seek to validate what we have heard to ensure that it is indeed of the Spirit. The expression, “quenching the Spirit” implies a despising of the supernatural work of the Spirit and to treat “Him” with contempt.
He lives in us; our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit
With the Corinthians reference, the apostle Paul brought us into a divine truth. Our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. While we often conceive the Holy Spirit as hovering over us like a UFO, the Scriptural reality is that He lives in us. Our body is His dwelling place. Therefore, it is not difficult to conceive how He can communicate with us as He did with Elijah.
Paul further strengthens his position by telling us that God took the decision to give us the Holy Spirit. We did not earn nor deserve this indwelling but rather it was entirely the mercy and grace of God.
Redemption changes the ownership of our lives. We now no longer belong to the evil one but to Jesus and the Holy Spirit who is in us seals our new status of ownership. We are now completely and totally His property.
Therefore, now we do not have ‘rights’ but rather ‘privilege.’ A position of honour that God has given to us out of His abundant grace. It is of interest also to note that Paul insinuates that the Holy Spirit in us brings glory to God. Our body is a declaration of glory to God.
The companionship of the Holy Spirit is a great blessing and bestowal on us. We must cherish and encourage His presence in our life, learning to hear from Him and obeying His instructions.
Image by Kiều Trường from Pixabay
