Sweet Holy Spirit

Have you ever considered just how important and vital the Holy Spirit is? The whole subject of the Trinity can be so complicated yet there are great teachings on the nature and the character of God the Father, there are great teachings on the person and work of God the Son, but when did you last read a book devoted to God the Spirit?

In his book “Knowing God”, J. I. Packer states that “the average Christian, deep down, is in a complete fog as to what work the Holy Spirit does”. I must admit it is a little confusing to me as well. Packer goes on to show that without the spirit there would be “no gospel and no New Testament”. Packer points out you can see it so clearly in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13;

9However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Packer surprisingly concludes that without the Holy Spirit there would be no Christians. You have to think about that for a few minutes… Examining 2 Corinthians 4:4 we can see;

4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

So clearly without the power of the Holy Spirit we would remain blinded. You know this is really amazing. Still it can be complex; hard to grasp. I did find a great description of the absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit and the link to the Father and the Son. It is from a sermon given by Spurgeon and in it he says;

“Christ’s blood and righteousness are like wine stored in the wine-vat; but we cannot get thereat. The Holy Spirit dips our vessel into this precious wine, and then we drink; but without the Spirit we must die and perish just as much, though the Father elect and the Son redeem, as though the Father had never elected, and though the Son had never bought us with his blood. The Spirit is absolutely necessary. Without him neither the works of the Father, nor of the Son, are of any avail to us.”

Remarkable! These intricate workings; so comforting; so necessary, so loving! I am reminded of the words of Christ in John 14;

25"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

My friends do not be troubled and do not be afraid; for the Spirit is with you. Father, thank You so much for this majestic plan, thank You for Your Son; our Redeemer and thank You for Your Spirit; our Counselor.

Grace and Peace!