1.      The Holy Spirit…Convicts Me

One of the most devastating effects of sin is that it blinds.  It is written about Satan that, “The god of this world blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of God.”  (2 Corinthians 4:4).  The Holy Spirit opens our eyes.  Only He can convict us of the depth of our sin, and only He can convince us of the truth of the Gospel.

Thus the Holy Spirit is called ‘the Spirit of truth’ in John 14:17.  In speaking of the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus said, “He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.”  (John 16:8).

There is the danger that we may pass the point of no return, and that our hearts may be so hardened by sin that we will no longer hear the voice of the Spirit.  No man could have been more hardened, than King Manasseh in the Old Testament, and yet he eventually repented of his sin and was forgiven by God in His grace (2 Chronicles 33).  That is why the word of God warns us, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”  (Hebrews 3:7).

2.      The Holy Spirit…Sanctifies Me

The word sanctification means literally, “to be separate” or “set apart for a certain purpose”.  St. Paul speaks of the believer as having been “sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:16).  He wrote to the Corinthians saying that they, having been sanctified, are called to be saints (1 Corinthians 1:2).

We Christians are to be “progressively sanctified” or “made righteous” in holiness as we daily abide in Christ and obey His Word.  Abiding and obedience are the keys to a successful Spirit-dominated life.  We are as much sanctified, as the Holy Spirit possesses us. It is never a question of how much we have of the Spirit, but how much He has of us!!

St. Gregory Nazianzen expresses the Holy Spirit desires to draw us day after day from our human frailty unto the perfect likeness of Christ.  Constantly He ‘hovers over the water’ (Genesis 1:2), in which our inner earth is formless and void, in order to replace our darkness with His light and establish within us a new Spiritual state, that is the Kingdom of God.

3. The Holy Spirit…Guides Me

The Lord said, “When He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak.  He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”  (John 16:13-15).

The Holy Spirit guides, “And the Spirit said to Phillip, ‘Go up and join his chariot…’”  (Acts 8:14).  “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”  (Romans 8:14).  The Holy Spirit enlightens the Christian’s mind, “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”  (1 Corinthians 2:10).  “Therefore he who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”  (Revelation 2:7).

4. The Holy Spirit…Comforts Me

One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to comfort.  His name is the “Comforter” and the “Helper” (John 14:16 & John 15:26).  He comforts us when we repent or feel disappointed and disillusioned and helps us grow in our spiritual path.

5. The Holy Spirit…Makes Me Fruitful

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we bring fruits as the Lord said, “By their fruits you will know them.”  (Matthew 7:20).  Also the Lord said, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”  (Matthew 12:35).  The fruits of the Spirit, “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  (Galatians 5:22-23).

6. The Holy Spirit…Grants Me Gifts

The Holy Spirit distributes to each one of us at least one, if not more, than one gift (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4 give a summary of those gifts.  The purpose of the gifts granted by the Holy Spirit is mainly the edification of the body of Christ.  This edification implies supporting one another, with words and deeds to the measure that pleases the heart of God and kindles the work and fruit of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives.

7.     The Holy Spirit…Renews Me

Renewal is the work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”  (Titus 3:5).

No person can ever remain dry, thirsty or empty, as long as he/she does not, grief (Ephesians 4:30) or quench (1 Thessalonians 5:9) or resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51).  For He renews us daily when we have daily fellowship with Him thereby become fervent in Spirit (Romans 12), “And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”  (Ephesians 4:23).

Let us attend Church early on Pentecost Sunday, participate in the Heavenly procession during Early Raising of Incense, join in the prayers (O heavenly King, the Comforter, treasurer of goodness…) and hymns of the Holy Spirit sung joyfully following the reading of the Acts (Acts 2:1-28).  Attend the kneeling prayers seeking that the Holy Spirit fill our hearts, lives and Churches with abundant grace (Zechariah 12:10).

PPFM

Father Matthew