“The Spirit gives life”
(2 Corinthians 3:6)
Reflection:
The Nicene Creed refers to the Holy Spirit as ‘the Lord the giver of life.” That’s exactly what He does and has been doing since the beginning of the history recorded in the Scriptures. He has given life to God’s will and word as well as to God’s creation and creatures.
He is also the One who brings us into the new life offered to us through Jesus Christ. He reveals the truth of the Lord and Saviour to us, enables us to receive and respond to that truth and blesses our spirits with the eternal reality of that new life. For as Jesus taught Nicodemus,
“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:5-6)
As He takes His place within us as a part of our new birth and life He begins to add to our lives certain qualities and gifts that flow from Himself as God.
- “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)
- “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. .. All these (gifts) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
As these are allowed to develop and grow they add value and loveliness to our characters and a new empowered purpose to our living. We do not strive to create these qualities – they come from the Spirit as we honour and trust God with our lives. Others may see them before we do!
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10)
God’s desire is to make us a part of His life – not for Him to be only a part of ours.
Response:
Pause to consider the truth – God is at work within you to develop the beauty and strengths of your character. How wonderful is that!
Prayer:
Holy Spirit please lead me more deeply into the new life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord and help me to open myself more fully to You. Amen.
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The Soaring Eagle 