The Spirit gives life

We are in that season of the Christian year when we tend to focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, coming on the back of our Pentecost celebrations.

It is good to give attention to this third person of the Holy Trinity who sadly gets overlooked by large parts of the church. Jesus spoke to his disciples about another counsellor or advocate who would come to be with them in future, implying someone who would come alongside them, just as he had been. In fact, it’s even better - he speaks of the Spirit of truth being in them (John 14:17).

The picture in Acts 2 is of the Spirit coming upon them in power. This helps bring to light a mysterious truth that there is both an outward work of the Spirit, equipping us for ministry with gifts and confidence, and an inward one where he is at work shaping our character and guiding us along like an onboard SatNav.

Everyone who believes in Jesus has the Spirit in them – our new life in him results from being born of the Spirit – see John 3. But we can either welcome this wonderful counsellor into every area of our lives and learn to depend on him day by day, or we can almost ignore his presence and just press on with life in our own way.

Paul urges us to, “eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy,” while importantly following the way of love (1 Corinthians 14:1). It is good for us to be seeking a greater experience of his presence and power and to be expectant that he will answer our prayers.

The church today needs to be walking in the way and in the power of the Spirit if we are to reach our generation with the Good News of Jesus. We can’t achieve it without his help. Power was given at Pentecost in order that those first disciples might be witnesses to Jesus (Acts 1:8). They were anointed for action!

The Spirit is a bit of a slippery fish (not a Biblical image!) - we can never quite pin him down with neat definitions. Various pictures are used in scripture to try and describe him and the way we encounter him – wind, fire, oil, dove, water. Jesus stressed that we can see the effects of the Spirit’s work but never quite grasp where he’s come from and where he’s going - like with the wind (John 3:8). 

Let’s not try to control the Spirit but joyfully receive him and lay down our lives, allowing him to take hold of us and use us in the work of the kingdom. May we as a church be infused with his dynamic life and allow him to transform our worshipping community into a true temple of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). May he shape our life together and create something beautiful among us where the love of Jesus radiates out to the lost and broken world around.

Do join me on the adventure of a lifetime…

With all good wishes,