The One True God Lives within Us
Day Thirty-Two
by Gini Crawford, MSW
www.BecauseOfGod.com
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The Holy Spirit and us
As Christians an amazing thing happens - the One True God comes to dwell within us. Before we were Christians, the Holy Spirit did not live in us, so we were in spiritual darkness or spiritually dead (John 3:19; Ephesians 2:1). Yet, His Spirit was still always there protecting, leading, and wooing us to God (Psalm 139:7-10). When you believe in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within you - giving you spiritual life, and a glorious relationship with the triune God (John 3:6-8; Romans 8:9-11; Titus 3:4-7).
Jesus said "...I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17 NASB®
In the Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit didn't live in all God's followers, but only a select few. The Holy Spirit living in all God's people was a promise that was fulfilled after Jesus' death and resurrection. (Acts 1:4-9, 2:1-18, 32-33).
Every time I think about the fact the One True God lives within me, it takes me back to realizing how much God wants to be with me. Yes, it's an amazing relationship we are in with our God, isn't it?
The Holy Spirit seals us
In Him (Jesus), you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation -- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise... Ephesians 1:13 NASB®
We are sealed in Jesus by the Holy Spirit at the moment we believe in Jesus. The word sealed in the Greek language means: to set a seal upon, mark with a seal. In scripture, a seal symbolizes a finished transaction, ownership, and security. When something is sealed, everything is in order. It is the final approval of that transaction. When the Spirit seals us, it signifies that the eternal transaction of payment for our sins has been completely and perfectly finished in Jesus(John 19:30). We are now His, and are eternally secure in Him, because we have His seal upon us. What does it mean to you that you are sealed by the Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is our pledge
...who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:14 NASB®
The Holy Spirit is our pledge from God. The word pledge even today in Greece can mean engagement ring. God's Spirit is His symbol of love given to us so we can know without a shadow of a doubt, we are His forever, and that every promise given to us from God is guaranteed. Instead of wearing the love symbol on our finger, we wear Him in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 3:3). Isn't this a beautiful illustration from God, showing you He loves you?
The Holy Spirit reveals God's thoughts to us
Have you ever found yourself thinking something like, "I wish I could know their thoughts?" I sure have. As you know, it is impossible to know what a person is really thinking unless they tell you. Only God's Spirit knows God's thoughts. Yet, amazingly He reveals His thoughts to us through His Spirit. The Spirit indwelling us teaches us to know God, His Word and His will, and He gives us the wisdom to understand God's spiritual truths including our many spiritual blessings.
But just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him." For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 NASB®
The Holy Spirit gives us God's power
Do you feel spiritually wimpy at times? I know I can. Yet, it is a feeling we really shouldn't have, because the power of the universe lives within us (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16,20). So for heaven's sake, ask the Spirit to empower you to live for God. (Zechariah 4:6).
The Holy Spirit and God's love
God has poured His love within us and continues to flood our hearts with His love through His Spirit. We know of God's love because the Spirit lives within us. (Ephesians 3:16-20). Loving reality, isn't it?
...hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 NASB®
I think many of you are familiar with the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22). Our yard is full of doves. A dove couple made a nest in our front yard, and were lovingly watching over their eggs. My husband heard loud squawks one day, and went out to see the two doves flying at a bobcat to protect their eggs. We both realized the doves were willing to give their lives for their eggs. The Spirit of the One True God hovers over us and in us with His ever present love for us, and faithfully protects us.
What are your feelings about the Holy Spirit living in you?
Life Application
The Holy Spirit doesn't want us to stay as immature babies in Jesus Christ, controlled by our sinful desires or flesh. So the Spirit works to transform you into a mature Christian; one that acts very much like Jesus. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Ephesians 4:13-15). The Spirit will slowly but surely mature us, but we need to choose to cooperate with Him. We cooperate with the Spirit by allowing Him to lead us.
Here are some basic Christian principles we should be doing so the Spirit can lead us:
- Faith/belief/trust in God gives us the Spirit and allows the Spirit to lead us. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 1:13; Hebrews 11:6).
- When we love God and others, the Spirit is leading. (Mark 12:29-31; Romans 5:5).
- The Spirit leads us using His Word, so we need to be learning it. (Psalm 119:11, 105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21).
- Talk to God and listen to Him through His Word; His Spirit will lead you. (Psalm 143:10; Luke 11:9-13; John 14:26, 16:13-15; Romans 8:26-27).
- Ask the Spirit to examine your life to get sin out of your life. Disobeying God means the Spirit isn’t leading in that area. (Psalm 139:23-24; Proverbs 28:13).
God gave us a handy list in Galatians 5:22-23, so we can check our lives to see if we are being led by His Spirit, or by our own flesh (sinful desires). If you have the fruit of the Spirit in your life, that means you are allowing the Spirit to lead you. Read Galatians 5:16-26.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ... If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit ... Galatians 5:22-25 NASB®
Being led by the Holy Spirit is like walking with the Spirit. Walking with the Spirit is similar to walking with someone - you are going in the same direction, there is a connection and sharing, and you are taking steps together to reach a common goal. The Holy Spirit’s desire is to lead you, so when you won’t let Him, well to be frank, you are then walking away from what God wants. (Romans 8:4).
I believe no one is led by the Spirit all the time, but to be like Jesus we need the Spirit to be leading us most of the time. Who is leading you most of the time, the Spirit or sin? Remember, He absolutely wants to lead your life. So ask for His help, He is our Helper. (Psalm 143:10).
What are your thoughts about the Holy Spirit leading you?
For more information see: How to let the Spirit lead you.
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