The Holy Spirit- Part Three
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV
In the Old Testament God chose to give people position and authority giving evidence of His choice by the outpouring of oil, consequently, empowering them: the lower story. As believers we’re anointed and empowered with His Spirit (1 John 2:20) as well: upper story. It isn’t Jesus walking alongside us every day, it’s His Spirit permanently residing in our hearts: that’s a guarantee. God chose to give us this guarantee, down-payment, so to speak, as a partial fulfillment with a promise of more to come. Why?
When Jesus returns there will be no separation of heaven and earth and our fellowship with the Trinity will be constant. For now, the Kingdom of God is only partially fulfilled, however, we have a security deposit from God: the Helper.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, … You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17b ESV
How does the Spirit help? First of all, you must ask.
… how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 ESV
Next, He brings truth into a situation; you may not want to hear His perspective, it may hurt, but He is the Spirit of truth.
He’s also our Defense Attorney. The Greek word ‘helper’ is actually a legal word meaning advocate. The Holy Spirit stands beside you, before the Judge and the prosecutor (Satan), pleading your case. Whatever the charges, a believer’s position is in right standing before the Judge and you are pardoned.
His presence in your life teaches you how to live and reminds you of the truths you’ve planted in your hearts through the preaching and reading of His Word.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 ESV
The ministry of the Spirit includes bringing revelation in your life. You need help with your spouse, your children, your job, or any of life’s circumstances. He’ll reveal to you what you need to know, when you need to know it, and guide you through it. It’s a guarantee.
… He will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13c ESV
Luke closes his gospel with Jesus’ words of promise and opens the Book of Acts with the same promise: empowerment of the Spirit. We hear it all the time, “If you need help, just ask.” Remember, His power is in you and completed in your weakness so come humbly, yet boldly, asking for His help.
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