Friday 19 May 2017

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit


Scripture: John 16 v 8: "Jesus said "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."

The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity of God. God in three persons blessed Trinity. God the Father; God the Son: God the Holy Spirit and these three are one. So it is not 1+1+1 = 3 but 1x1x1=1. And multiplied by any one of us the answer is still one.
John 17 v 22 - 23: "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."

The Holy Spirit was sent to the Apostles 50 days after the death of Jesus. In that time He rose from the dead; showed Himself to over 500 people; ascended into Heaven. His last words were that they should wait for the Holy Spirit the promise of the Father.

He came ten days later in a sound like a rushing mighty wind. He rested upon each of them and it looked like flames of fire upon their heads. They spoke in tongues and prophesied. So began the true church of God, the body of Christ.

The first thing the Holy Spirit does to a sinner is convict him of sin. He puts pressure of the memory of sins committed upon the person. He allows the sinner to feel the full weight of sin upon his conscience until he yields and confesses his wrongdoing to God. There comes a day when the person refuses to yield and the Holy Spirit leaves him alone. A very sad day when the conscience refuses the mercy of God.

The Holy Spirit convicts the one who has yielded of righteousness. He shows the person people who are living right with God, and how blessed they are. How thankful, kind and loving they are. He creates a desire in the person to live a righteous Godly life.

Thirdly, the Holy Spirit convicts the worldly person of judgment. What happens to them after death is determined by their state of being while alive. Are they saved from sin by faith in Jesus, the nature of sin killed by baptism in water AFTER receiving Jesus as Saviour? Are they still guilty, fearful, sinful souls who face eternity separated from the Father.

We have to make these choices alone with God. No-one can do it for us. No-one can do the work or ministry of the Holy Spirit. Let God be God. He saves sinners. Our job is to pray for them to be saved and guide them afterwards to become established in Christ. The Holy Spirit will teach them through whatever means are necessary and available.

We need to trust God more and ourselves less. He knows what we each need to help us grow in grace. His most powerful asset is the Holy Bible without which Humans cannot operate correctly. It could be called the Manufacturer's Handbook.  Many people try to live without it and their lives are the poorer for it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You thought of absolutely everything that human beings would need when Jesus created us. You promised us the Holy Spirit with His blessed gifts for us. Thank You for Your love and care. In Jesus' name. Amen.