This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
Look at how Paul describes the power of the Holy Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead—“and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:4).”
Two things are to be noted here:
One, we cannot claim to have the Spirit of God in our lives and continue to live in sin. He is the Spirit of holiness and there is no fellowship possible with darkness. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).”
Two, the extraordinary power of God which raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us as well. Paul describes that power as “his incomparably great power,” and “that power is like the working of his mighty strength” which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead. Read Ephesians 1:19, 20.
Practical Application: Somewhere I read about people trying to move a huge tree trunk lying near a river bank. It was so huge and heavy that many people together could not move it. Later the water level rose and flooded the bank. And it floated the huge trunk. And with very little effort people could guide it to where they wanted to move that to. It is like that in our lives too. When the Spirit of God comes he will make what looked impossible, move with ease in our lives.
It doesn’t mean we become holy or become saints in one second. It doesn’t mean that we do not face struggles common to man. God allows us to pass through all life’s common experiences but enables us to have his grace in the midst of tough situations.
Like how he dealt with Paul saying “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness (1 Corinthians 12:9).”
Eternal Guarantee
Almost all of us are familiar with giving an advance payment for something we plan to buy. It can be a car or a house. The Bible uses a similar language to help us understand the meaning of God sending the Holy Spirit into our hearts.
Paul says that the indwelling Holy Spirit is God’s seal of ownership on us. The word “pledge” or “deposit” is used in this context. It is God’s guarantee to keep the Believer saved and safe (Ephesians 1:13b—14).
The word for “pledge” or “deposit” appears only three times in the New Testament, always in reference to the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5, and Ephesians 1:14). The Holy Spirit is God’s advance payment made to assure you of eternal life and the extraordinary life with God for all eternity: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit (2 Corinthians 2:9, 10).
The Promise Is for You
If you need the blessing of the Holy Spirit you need to thirst for him (see John 7;37, 38). Thirst is most important.
The next thing is to ask. As simple as that. “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:13)!
Just receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit in faith as you accepted the gift of eternal life by faith. See what Peter said at Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 38, 39).”
The promise of the Holy Spirit is for you. He is the gift that God has promised to give you when you believe in Jesus. Now how do you receive a gift? You say thanks and just receive; isn’t it?
THIRST → ASK→ RECEIVE
The Spirit of God witnesses or testifies in your heart that you are God’s child. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship [some translations, “adoption”]. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:15, 16).”
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Encouraged by the Holy Spirit