The power of the Holy Spirit
For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Anyone who has witnessed a lightning bolt and loud thunder will admit that there is power displayed in the physical world that is frightening at times. It can cause a lot of damage. This year we witnessed the power of Hurricane Ian as it struck Cuba causing devastation before heading on to the west coast of Florida, ravaging inland. Seeing the horrendous destruction of homes, roads, bridges torn apart, and powerlines toppled, some commentators referred to it as ‘Armageddon’. It plunged many millions of people into darkness, causing the death of many. Estimates of damage ran into billions of dollars and it will take a long time to recover. In the face of natural disasters like these, humans are often helpless.
However, these natural events, though powerful, are insignificant and cannot be compared to the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was involved in creation (Psalm 104:30). Yet Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our ‘helper’: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26). This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit and the Apostle Peter, who had vehemently denied knowing Jesus three times, gave a most powerful sermon, telling people that they had crucified and put Jesus to death. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s sermon and were baptised, such is the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul speaks for all of us when he talks of his helplessness in dealing with sin: ‘For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.’ (Romans 7:19-20). But the Helper, the Holy Spirit walking alongside us enables us to overcome sin, and to grow in grace and knowledge. He leads us into all truth (John 16:13), and helps us to pray when we struggle.
It is the Holy Spirit who joins us to God as His children: ‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…’ (Romans 8:14-16).
We are ‘…strengthened with might through His Spirit…’ (Ephesians 3:16). Through the Spirit we partake of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22-23).
Christ Himself was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure, and God has given us the same Spirit to do His work – mightily. (John 3:34).
Prayer
Abba Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, that we may live a godly life and bring honour and glory to Your holy name. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church