By the Power of The Holy Spirit: Responding in Faith through Works – Part 7

       

The only way to change the Church is by changing the Believers.

 

The only way to change the Believers is …

 

By the Power of the Holy Spirit.

 

As I was researching the topic of the Holy Spirit, I didn’t seem to be being led to the abundance of material that I usually find.

Even the churches I have attended haven’t taught much about Him.

  • Not in the “pew-warmer” church I grew up in.
  • Nor the Methodist church we attended, which has the “flame” of the Holy Spirit in their logo.
  • Not the non-denominational church where one pastor told me that the Holy Spirit didn’t give any more revelations today, and another one who asked me “Why would God reveal something to you, instead the church elders?”
  • Not even in the Assemblies of God, a “speaking in tongues” Pentecostal denomination!

Then I remembered hearing the Holy Spirit described as self-effacing, Father-oriented and Son-focused, even “shy.”

 

In the Old Testament God’s Name, YHVH3069, is used 295 times.

YeHoVaH also describes Himself, revealing His Titles, His attributes, His character.

In the New Testament Jesus calls Himself the Son of God, the Son of Man; the Way, the Truth, the Life; the Light of the World, and many more descriptive titles.

Yeshua reveals Himself through His actions: His works of love, healing, comfort, compassion, correction, etc.

 

However, the Holy Spirit is a little different.

 

The book of Acts, aka “The Acts of the Apostles,” could rightly be called “The Acts of the Holy Spirit” because everything the Apostles and the early Christians did was in, through, and by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

But, the Holy Spirit is never One to put Himself forward and take any, let alone all, of the credit.

In fact, the Holy Spirit does not put Himself forward at all.

 

First, we must …

… Receive the Holy Spirit

 

He is sent by the Father.

26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.                                                  John 15:26, 27 NAS

        

He comes, but He must be given access.

39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.                                                  John 7:39 NAS

       

He will lead, but He will not drive.

27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.                                             John 10:27-28 NAS

 

     

Paul J Pastor asks:

What will it take to trust his leading? When will we be ready to surrender a little more, invite a little more, allow what has always been working powerfully beneath the surface to break out into the open?                                                          Help Your Group Members Recognize the Holy Spirit at Work by Paul J Pastor

     

If we belong to Jesus, the Spirit lives in us. If we don’t have the Spirit, we do not belong to Yeshua.

9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.                                                   Romans 8:9 NAS

      

We cannot change ourself by Faith alone. We need the Holy Spirit.

We cannot do anointed Works for the Kingdom without the Spirit.

   

Second, we must …

… Receive Power from the Holy Spirit

 

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”                                                   Acts 1:8 NAS

      

Marcia Greenwood of Tim Greenwood Ministries writes

We, as Christians need to learn about the Holy Spirit and let him move with power in our lives.                                                            The Holy Spirit by Marcia Greenwood

    

    

Third, we must allow …

… Transformation by the Power of the Holy Spirit

     

We are created to grow spiritually. We are made to become spiritually mature disciples: disciples who make disciple-making disciples. To do this, we must give the Holy Spirit authority over us: mind and body.

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.                                                    2 Corinthians 3:18 NAS

       

The Holy Spirit will not work in us without our permission.

We need to invite the Holy Spirit, He will not intrude into our lives on His own. He may convict us that we need something, or to do something or to say something or ask God to forgive us, and then we’ll realize that he is wanting us to come to him. But he will Never force his will on us. We Choose!                                 The Holy Spirit by Marcia Greenwood of Tim Greenwood Ministries

        

Belief and the Holy Spirit

        

Yes, the Holy Spirit lives in each person who has Faith: belief, trust, and obedience, in Yeshua.

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.                                                        Acts 2:38 NAS

       

Through belief in the Son, we are sent the Spirit.

    

26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning.                                                  John 15:26, 27 NAS

     

When we allow the Holy Spirit to do more than merely dwell in us, life in the Spirit becomes our reality.

      

Something to consider:

  • If you believe and expect the Holy Spirit to work in you, leading to a transformed heart and changed behavior, He WILL.
  • If you do not believe and do not expect the Holy Spirit to work in you, He WILL NOT.

Tell me, what do you believe?

     

And don’t forget to …

    

… Pray

     

What does the Holy Spirit reveal to you?

 

Blessings,

TLThomas

     

It’s ok to doubt, if you check it out!

Be a Berean!

 10The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.                   Acts 17:10, 11 ESV

     

See also

Faith or Works? Series

  1. By Faith or by Works? That is the Question – 1
  2. What Does the Bible Say About Faith and Works? – 2
  3. What Does the Church Teach About Faith and Works? – 3
  4. Can Paul and James be reconciled on Faith and Works? – 4
  5. The Response to Salvation: Faith AND Works – 5
  6. Can There be Life-Changing Faith Without Visible Works? – 6
  7. By the Power of The Holy Spirit: Responding in Faith through Works – Part 7
  8. Transforming Faith and Works in the Power of the Spirit – 8

and

Do You Have An Enduring Faith?

       

Please join me in this journey of discovery.

  • Leave a comment below.
  • Use the buttons to share this blog with others.
  • Take what I say and CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF!

    

© 2017 by TLThomas

      

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