“I believe in the Holy Spirit.” Do you really? Many people today are afraid of the Holy Spirit and His power, maybe because no one knows how powerful He truly is, maybe because we have seen too many people “fake” His power. What do you know about the Holy Spirit and His power?
The Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Third Person of the Trinity. We first read of Him in Genesis when God says, “Let Us make man in Our Own image” (emphasis added). Yes, that was God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We ascribe to the Holy Spirit the work of sanctification. What is that thing, “sanctification”? Sanctification is the work of making us holy, or better said, the Holy Spirit works to bring us to faith, make us holy, and keep us in faith in Jesus. Because of our sinful nature, we cannot accept Jesus. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit moving in our hearts that we are given faith in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit also empowers us to do His work. That is, to bring the Gospel message, by thought, Word, and deed, to others. We are each given abilities and talents, or things that we can do well. The Holy Spirit at our Baptism gives these gifts, talents and abilities to use in service to others, to Himself and to His glory. These gifts are mentioned in several of the Epistles and range from helping, to serving, mercy, apostle, pastor/teacher, etc. It is our duty, responsibility, and privilege as Christians to seek to use our gifts, talents and abilities in our Lord’s service, bringing others to faith in Jesus, and ultimately to His glory.
Being human beings, sinners, we are quite skeptical of these gifts and “power” of the Holy Spirit. To some extent, we are afraid they might be true and unexplainable. Then what would our friends think? Where does all this fear leave us, and what are we to do?
If you have been baptized, you already have been given gifts, talents and abilities. Pray that the Holy Spirit would lead you to learn how to use these gifts in service to others and Himself. Then ask that He would give you the opportunity and courage to use these gifts to His glory and for the extension of God’s kingdom. Jesus tells us that we do not see or have great things because we do not ask. Ask for great things, but ask in Jesus’ name, believing and for His will to be done and you will see great things. Be careful! Too often, you will get what you ask for, but it will not be what you want. It will be what God knows is best for you. Study the Bible, pray, and listen. You will be amazed at the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through you.
Be sure to seek to give glory to God when seeking the power of the Holy Spirit. I have found too often that, when I seek the power of the Holy Spirit for my own glory, I wind up flat on my face, so to speak, but when I seek His power for God’s glory, He does great things through me, so it is not me, but the Holy Spirit working in and through me. I pray His power and blessing as you are empowered to serve Him to His glory.
Dear Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit to strengthen my faith in You as well as to give me the courage I need to live my life to Your glory. Empower me to live in such a way that others may see Your working through me, to the praise and glory of Your Holy Name. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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