What Does the Holy Spirit Do for Christians Today?
The New Testament clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit Himself dwells within the Christian (Acts 5:32; 1 Cor. 6:19). The baptismal measure of the Holy Spirit is promised to everyone who becomes a true disciple throughout the Christian age (Acts 2:38-39). The literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit inside of the true disciple is clearly taught in Scripture but this truth makes some people nervous. The Spirit's indwelling does not mean that true disciples have miraculous spiritual abilities. The miraculous measure of the Spirit came to an end (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-13; Eph. 4:11-16).But this begs for the question to be answered, "What does the Spirit's indwelling inside of the Christian do for us today?" There are several things that the New Testament explicitly says that the Holy Spirit does for Christians today. My Greek teacher, Clyde Woods, lists at least five things that the Holy Spirit does for the Christian today:
(1) The Holy Spirit seals us (Ephesians 1:13). The Holy Spirit's presence inside of the Christian is God's personal signature of ownership of his true children (cf. Romans 8:16).
(2) The Holy Spirit is a down-payment of our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). The presence of the Holy Spirit inside of us gives us a little taste of the joy and peace of Heaven (cf. Galatians 5:22-25).
(3) The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual strength in our inner selves (Ephesians 3:16). The Holy Spirit, combined with our own force of will, gives us spiritual assistance in fighting our personal battles over sin (cf. Romans 8:9-13).
(4) The Holy Spirit helps cleanse us of sinful desires (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Realizing that the Holy Spirit personally dwells inside of us motivates us to avoid un-holy behavior (cf. 1 Thess. 4:8).
(5) The Holy Spirit assists us in our prayers, especially in moments when grief has overwhelmed us (Romans 8:26-27). He (the Spirit) takes the groaning of our own hearts and translates them into intelligible prayers to God the Father.
It is encouraging to know that God has not left us alone as spiritual orphans, but he has sent his Spirit to help us in the Christian life!
3 comments:
What a comfort it must have been to the eleven disciples when Jesus told them of the Helper He would send in His absence immediately before His betrayal. We know they received the miraculous measure of the Spirit, whereas we are promised the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as you discussed upon our obedience to the Gospel. Thanks be to God that His Spirit distinguishes His children from the rest of the world; let us cherish, appreciate and understand what the Spirit does for us. Thanks so much for your teaching on this rarely covered subject.
I am happy to hear what it does instead of hearing again what he does not do.
Jonathan, thanks so much for taking the time to write these wonderful articles. These, along with the lessons you bring to the congregation, are so well thought out and prepared. What a blessing you and Michelle have been to our family since we moved here. I have grown so much spiritually in the last year and a half, and I appreciate you for it. Jeremy Burleson
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