“And I will ask the Father,
and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever–
the Spirit of truth … he lives with you and will be in you”
(John 14:16-17)
Reflection:
Before becoming Christians we were guided very much by our own human spirits and the spirit of the fallen world in which we live. We tended to be at the centre of our lives, focussing on our own desires and perceived needs.
In recognising and accepting Jesus, and the forgiveness, salvation and new life that He offers, we receive through Him a new Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit of God who comes to live within us. He has already been operative in our lives because it is only through Him that we can recognise and respond to Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit embraces and works with our spirit, bringing the light and life and love of God into our lives. He leads and develops us along new paths and in new ways. These include –
- He witnesses to our spirits that we are now, in reality, the sons and daughters of Almighty God (Romans 8:16)
- He leads us into the truth about God, ourselves and the world around us. (John 16:13)
- He convicts us of the sin and sins in and around our lives (John 16:8)
- He produces new fruit in our lives – the qualities of God and not of the world (Galatians 5:22)
- He gives and develops particular gifts within us to equip us in our new ministries (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
- He opens us to, and reveals to us, the love of God (Romans 5:5)
- He works to make us more like the Lord
- “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
There is a new focus and purpose and meaning in our lives because there is a new person at the centre. God Himself, filling the empty place that was made for Him alone. From Him comes the peace and joy that are not of this world.
Response:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Prayer:
“Lord I believe – help my unbelief”
(Mark 9:24)
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The Soaring Eagle 