Duel Working of the Holy Spirit Pt 2
God’s Word teaches a dual working of the Spirit of God in those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit comes within the believer in the New Birth, and conversion, being born again for remission of sins, and the receiving eternal life. Yet on the other side of the duel working, the Holy Spirit comes upon the believer when baptized in the Holy Spirit with power.
John 14:16 says, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” Here Jesus promises the disciples another Comforter, implying that He, Jesus, their present Comforter would be removed and that another would be sent. The word another has the meaning of different person but of same kind. The Holy Spirit is a different person within the Godhead, yet equal with the Father and the Son.
Romans 8:9 says, “But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus enters us. Colossians 1:27 says, “Christ in you the hope of glory.” Galatians 4:6 says, “God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son”, referring to the Holy Spirit, witnessing to the fact that we are children of God (Ro.8:16).
As I focus more this month about the Holy Spirit within, the bible teaches us about a deeper work in our lives outside of the salvation experience. In order for us to benefit from this deeper work, we must experience constant renewals of God’s quickening power in our spirit by the Holy Spirit. Why are renewals within our spirit so important? 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, ”though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” Paul says that everyone one of us has an outward and inward man or a body and a soul. It is the Holy Spirit who refreshes and strengthens the soul. In God’s presence, our soul becomes empowered to understand spiritual realities. Ephesians 3:16 points to this very fact, believers need to be renewed or strengthen with might by God’s Spirit in the inner man. One infilling is not enough, daily renewals are essential to our spirits in order to keep us strong spiritually.
Isaiah 40:31 – “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary” (NASB). To wait for the Lord in this verses means to be bound or entwined together with the Lord; to expect or to look patiently for Him. It doesn’t mean we should passively wait for God to renew our strength or renew our spirit. Rather, we are to bind ourselves closely to Him and His Word in intimate fellowship. Thank God for the Word of God that He has given us to strengthen us! But as important as the Word is in the daily renewal of our spirit, it can never take the place of waiting before the Lord and abiding in His presence.
There are three common denominators I find in believers who walk in victory of the soul. Believers, who have learned to mediate on God’s Word, spend time in God’s presence, and those who know how to pray in God’s will. I find this attitude in these believers, “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” Live a life of forgiveness of sin and be delivered daily from sin! – Pastor Bruce Hines – Church In One Accord – churchinoneaccord.org