C – THE EMPOWERED CHRISTIAN – 3
Scripture has shown that the Holy
Spirit is a gift that is given as a person becomes a Christian. The Lord knew that we would need extra help
to walk in His steps and remain faithful.
Jesus explained that this Helper (Holy Spirit) would not come unless He
went away. Jhn.16:7 Jesus also spoke
of the Spirit that would come on those who believed after He was
glorified. Jhn.7:38,39 While Jesus
walked this earth, however, He indicated ways in which the Holy Spirit would be
a Helper.
Times of persecution would come
upon the disciples but Jesus told them that the Spirit would give them the
words to say for the Holy Spirit would speak through them. Mk.13:11 Jesus tells them essentially the same as
He speaks in Lk.12:12. In the parable of the gifts that an
earthly father would give to his children as they ask, Jesus gives the
importance of our asking our Father for the Holy Spirit. Lk.11:13
The Holy Spirit will accomplish
many things in our behalf. Part of His
accomplishment will be through us. He
will convict the world of sin. Jhn.16:8
We are to go and tell as is given in Matt.28:19,20 The Word is
the Spirit’s sword. Eph.6:17 The Bible is able
to judge thoughts and intents of the heart,
It is powerful and convicts. Heb.4:12
The Bible explains righteousness to us. Heb.9:14 As the Spirit strikes hearts to convict,
judgment will come as the Bible tells us how God sees and knows all. Heb.4:13
The Holy Spirit is also called
our Helper, our Counselor, our Comforter.
These terms are used in various versions. Jhn.14:26 The Holy Spirit was a teacher to the
authors of the Scriptures—the Sword of the Spirit. Remembrances of events and Christ’s teachings
would be given them as they wrote and taught.
We can also pray that the Spirit will help us remember from the Word as
we live and teach. (Lk.11:13) As Jesus
prayed for His disciples, He also prayed for us who believe through their
word. Jhn.17:20
Within every one is a struggle
between flesh and Spirit. The deeds or
works of the flesh are sin and those who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God
Gal.5:22,23 Love heads the
list and how difficult the rest would be without love. These are qualities that are good and
righteous and according to Truth. Eph.5:9
When we continue to build our life on these character-building
qualities, they become a preservative to keep us faithful and growing in Christ
with the help of the Holy Spirit. We
constantly learn what pleases the Lord and then walk therein. Eph.5:10 Pay attention! Be careful how and where we walk that we
don’t become mired in the deeds of the flesh.
Our time is important to God. Use
it well for Him. Eph.5:15-17
The Spirit helps us bear fruit
for the Lord. Another example that is
given is that of the vine. Jhn.15:2-5
We must abide in the vine to bear fruit. It is common knowledge that the branches of a
grape vine must be pruned in order to bear more and better fruit. So it is with the Christian. Pruning may hurt. From the parable of the sower may come some
understanding of the pruning. Matt.13:21,22 It may come in many forms but the Holy
Spirit is with us to help us learn and to grow that we may be fruitful servants
of the Lord.
Our fruit bears witness to God
and to others around us. We will be
judged by our Spirit-bearing fruit. Matt.7:17-21 There is bad fruit and good fruit. Although we as humans can be deceived, God
cannot. Job 34:21 As love is
perfected in us as a fruit of the Spirit, we can have confidence in the day of
judgment. 1 Jhn.4:17
The Spirit testifies that we
abide in the Lord as we keep His commandments.
1 Jhn.3:24 The Spirit also testifies that we are
children of God and heirs with Christ. Rom.8:16,17
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