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God the Holy Spirit continues to play several major roles. He was at creation doing His part: “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters”. During Old Testament times, He inspired the prophets to declare God’s will to people. His outpouring at Pentecost was a sign of divine power authenticating the gospel. As the Counsellor, His task is to prompt the words of Jesus Christ and lead believers into truth. He has also spiritually gifted the church for her enrichment. Today, He is the motivating power of believers, caring for them and making them Christlike.
In Rom. 8, the Apostle Paul discusses about Him as the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us, who are believers, to overcome the flesh and live fruitful Christian lives. Paul tells us that there is “no condemnation” for us since the indwelling Holy Spirit fulfils the righteousness of the law in us. The law cannot, therefore, condemn us and God also cannot condemn us because the Holy Spirit is enabling us to live lives meeting God’s holy demands. What a glorious salvation we have in Christ! The sooner we realise that the indwelling Holy Spirit wants to help us to please God, the better. We will then want to listen to His promptings.
As believers, we have two natures. One will get us to lean towards the things of the flesh and be carnal Christians, while the other will incline us towards the things of the Holy Spirit and be spiritual Christians. Paul reminds us that we have “no obligation” to the flesh. It is the Holy Spirit who imparted faith to us, and is witnessing daily within us that we are God’s children. He is also in us to help us please God. This is why we need to listen to His promptings.
Paul also tells us that someday, there will be “no separation” for us from Jesus Christ when we are freed from the presence of sin and our bodies redeemed from its bondage. Meanwhile, as we endure sufferings in hope, we have the privileges of His promptings and the joy and rewards of praying in the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, we would hear
Your inner promptings, soft and clear;
And help us know your still small voice
So we may make God’s will our will. (D. De Haan)
