Abounding Grace: Belonging, Powerful Spirit

So far, we’ve considered the person of the Holy Spirit and his essential ministry of applying what Jesus has provided. The Spirit regenerates us, so that we can respond to Jesus’ offer of salvation with faith and repentance. He justifies us, applying the obedience and sacrifice of Christ. He seals us in the graces of our Savior, preserving us and sanctifying us, so that we share in the holiness of Jesus. Finally, he glorifies us, applying the full life of Jesus’ resurrection. This is the essential ministry of the Spirit.

But he does more than this. Jesus refers to him as our “helper,” who mediates the presence of Christ to us. What does it mean to “mediate the presence of Christ”? A very simple illustration is your phone when you facetime someone. The phone mediates their presence, connecting you to the person you’re talking to. Well, the Spirit is better than a phone! As the Third Person of the Trinity, he is the presence of God, connecting you to the ministry of your Savior and all the goodness of God. He prays for you according to God’s will; he reveals God to you, especially through the Scriptures; he comforts you in hardships; he empowers you to say no to temptations; et. al.

Sunday we’ll consider some of the varied activities of the Spirit in your life. Praise and worship God the Spirit.