The Holy Spirit; who, what, where

The Holy Spirit - who, what, and how? Titus 3.4-6

“Okay, so I understand quite a bit about Jesus, Son of God, Messiah, Lord, Savior; honestly, I have learned more about God, the Father, in learning about Jesus,” she said … “but the Holy Spirit? Huh, I’m not too sure about that whole thing. I will listen, however, if you tell me more.”

So here goes … truly, I believe the Holy Spirit is the most misunderstood Person of the Trinity, and probably the most misrepresented as well. Writing to Titus, Paul said, “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.”1 Paul talks about new birth and new life coming to us via the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit is poured out on us, which indicates an outpouring, and a covering. Let’s dig for more about this mysterious person of the Godhead.

The Holy Spirit comes and takes up residence within us when we place our faith in Jesus as the leader of our lives, and repent of our sins. We do not have the Holy Spirit in our lives without relationship with Jesus Christ—that’s where it all starts. But then, think of it—the Holy Spirit enters your body and makes it his home. Amazing!

The Holy Spirit is a person, he is God, and he is all about relationship with us-> ‘He dwells with us and will be in us.’2 ‘The Spirit is not just a flighty, whimsical spirit who comes and goes like the wind. He is an eternal being.’3 While he is one third of the Trinity, he has his own mind, and distinct personality. He prays for us-> “The Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”4 That’s right—he goes before the Father on your behalf; he pleads your case. The Holy Spirit similarly interprets God to us5, which means that as we seek God’s guidance, for instance, it is the Holy Spirit’s function to impress on us the path to take. He leads, guides, convicts, comforts, and draws people to the heart of God. I love the Holy Spirit.

His works are ineffable in majesty, and innumerable in quantity.

How can we even ponder what extends beyond the ages?

What did he do before creation began?

How great are the graces he showered on creation!

What power will he wield in the age to come?

He existed; He pre-existed; He co-existed with the Father and the Son before the ages.

Even if you can imagine anything beyond the ages, you will discover that the Spirit is even further beyond.” St. Basil the Great, circa 355 A.D.

The Holy Spirit is vast and limitless. He sees all things, knows all things, and is all-powerful. In fact, he empowers us to do the things God calls us to do as well. Do you want to see the power of the Holy Spirit come alive in your life? Ask God to come and do a new thing in your life… and then, ask him to use you. Be open, and listen; he just might lead you to do something you could never accomplish in your own strength. Like -start a prayer meeting in the inner city, in an endeavor to bring together the homeless man and the businessperson to lock arms and cry out to the God of the Universe, for change. Go ahead . . . risk something for the Lord; dream a dream that brings folks to God, and then you will see the power of the Holy Spirit unleashed. You will learn what it feels to have the Holy Spirit use you, and empower you to do great and mighty things.

Once again, I invite you, Christian, to ask the Holy Spirit to refresh you, and fill you anew so that you may know and see the ways of God.

Invite him to take you deeper!

Christine Todd DiGiacomo

PastorWoman.com

1 – Titus 3.4-6

2 – John 14.17

3 - Francis Chan, Forgotten God, Cook Publishing, 2009.

4 - Romans 8.27

5 – 1 Corinthians 2.13

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