God the Spirit
“Forgotten God,” is a book about the Holy Spirit by author Francis Chan. The book is not without its flaws, but it certainly has its benefits. There are many good aspects of the book, and if you were to read it, I’m positive you would appreciate it. But, for me, the title itself is worth the cost of the book: “Forgotten God.” For, if in no other way, there is a challenge right there.
Is it true? Has the Spirit been “forgotten” by many believers today? It is not hard to make the case. Most of us have some sense of the Father, the divine One ruling over all things. And we frequently speak of Jesus, noting His teachings, His example of godly living, His sacrifice for us. Praying to the Father, rejoicing in His holiness; speaking of the Son, celebrating His redemption; these perhaps come more naturally to us. But, thinking of the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit… that is too… mystical… for many.
Of course, nothing could be further from the truth of the Scripture. Far from being neglected in the Scripture, the Spirit is portrayed there as God, fully equal to the Father and Son. He, the Spirit, is the One who applies the work of the cross into our lives, taking what Jesus did 2000 years ago and making us new. We are born of the Spirit (John 3). We are indwelt by the Spirit (John 14). We are empowered by the Spirit (Ephesians 3). We are transformed by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3). To search the Scripture for the works of the Holy Spirit, is to soon be overwhelmed by all that He does. By the Spirit:
The inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16)
The instrument
of Creation (Psalm 104)
The law is
written in our hearts (Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 36)
The conviction
of sin (John 16)
The regeneration
and new birth (John 3)
The filling and empowering (Deuteronomy 34;
Ephesians 2)
The purification
of sinners (Rom 8; 1 Corinthians 6)
The illumination
of Scripture (1 Tim 4)
The assurance of
salvation (Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 3)
The unified body
of believers (Ephesians 4, Philippians 2)
Hardly forgotten, the biblical witness to the Spirit is overwhelming.
The Apostles’ Creed makes the claim: “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” And, there is good reason: We believe because the Bible consistently witnesses to the Spirit. Our faith in the Spirit of God is grounded in what has been revealed in the Bible, and, by God’s blessings, what we experience of His work in our lives. Because of this, our faith in the Spirit is truly a trusting in Him, relying on His work to shape and transform every moment of our lives.
For this Sunday, read John 14:15-17, 26-27.
