The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

The Good News from God is remarkably wonderful, so wonderful indeed that the evil one will do all he can to keep us from believing in it. The Word of God tells us that the wisdom of God has purposed things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which has not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him (1Cor. 2:9). Things so glorious that angels long to look (1Pet. 1:12).

Now, in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, God has through the Spirit revealed these precious things to us that we might know the things freely given to us by God (1Cor. 2: 10,12).

The Good News of God in its very basic sense tells us that God has, through our Lord Jesus Christ, shown us mercy and has opened the way to being reconciled to Him resulting in salvation and eternal life. However, as we delve deeper, we would notice two aspects - the legal aspect and the relationship aspect of the Gospel. The truths of both these aspects are so precious that a close look at each truth would only compel us to fall prostrate before the Lord Jesus and thank Him for His boundless love and His marvelous work.

The legal aspect of the Gospel involves Repentance, Forgiveness of sins, Cleansing by the blood of the Lord Jesus, Redemption, Justification by faith, Being sealed with the Holy Spirit, Promise of eternal life, etc. This is the work of the cross or the work of Christ.

The relationship aspect involves what the Word of God calls 'the ministry of the Holy Spirit' (2Cor. 3:8). In this aspect we experience the Person of Christ.

The two aspects are inseparable and together constitute the purpose of God for us. And while the legal is a mandatory precursor to the relationship, more often than not we find ourselves rejoicing in the legal aspects of the marvelous work of Christ while failing to enjoy the Person Himself.

Could this be the reason why the Author to the Hebrews exhorted the saints to leave the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to maturity (Heb. 5:11-6:2) or Paul to the Corinthian Church that he speaks a wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom not of this age nor of the rulers of this age but a wisdom taught by the Spirit (1Cor. 2:6-16)?

While reflecting on the Word of God we would notice that the relationship aspect as brought about by the ministry of the Holy Spirit is at least two-fold.

1. Enjoying God in His Presence

One of the glorious privileges we have through our Lord Jesus Christ is the precious opportunity to constantly remain in the Presence of God. In the New Covenant we can come into that place beyond the veil and remain there. Our problem is that we have not learned to value this privilege. We have not, like David, made it the one thing we desire (Ps. 27:4). 

The Bible tells us that in God's Presence there is fullness of joy or exceeding joy (Ps. 16:11). Let us with longing hearts draw constantly to Him and He will meet us. At that time there will be sweet fellowship with the Spirit and a joy inexpressible. My cry to the Lord is that I dwell in His Presence not occasionally but constantly.

2. Growing in the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ

2Corinthians 4:6 tells us that -

For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

God desires to shine that Light in our hearts so that increasingly with unveiled face we can behold the glory of the Lord (2Cor. 3:18). Increasingly the Spirit could reveal to us the Person of Jesus. Increasingly we would grow in the knowledge of Christ, not just in His work but in Him as a Person. "That I might know Him," was Paul's earnest longing. His heart was illumined bright enough for him to say - 

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Php. 3:8).

We have not, like Paul, made it the one thing we do (Php. 3:13). But the Spirit of truth wants to show us Jesus.

"He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you." (Jn. 16:14) was what the Lord Jesus said of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

The Good News of the Lord is remarkably wonderful. God has purposed for us things that are indescribable; things which are immensely precious. It is like treasure in earthen vessels, but precious treasure indeed (2Cor. 4:7).

Lord help us that we not just know of this precious treasure but lay hold of that for which also we were laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Php. 3:12).

God's Purpose in Creating us

God never does anything without a purpose. He had a purpose while creating heaven and earth. He had and still has a purpose in creating us. His purpose is eternal. God chose us in Christ Jesus before even creating the world and His purpose continues eternally, beyond our life on earth.

Since then we are here with a purpose, do we know that purpose? Are we living according to that purpose? It is very important to know the purpose of our life from God's perspective so that we do not live aimlessly.

Before we identify some aspects of the purpose of God, it would help to remind ourselves of certain truths.

• God made heaven and earth and all things in it not only to testify of His greatness but also so that man could enjoy all that is made. God provided for man before He made man. (Gen. 1:28-30)

• Man is made in the image of God. We are created according to His likeness. God is Spirit and we who are made in His image are spirit too. (Gen. 1:26; Jn. 4:24)
  
• The spirit of man has the unique ability to fellowship with God - where the Almighty can talk with man and reveal Himself to man. The spirit of man can talk with God; relate with God, know God and enjoy His presence. (Jn. 17:3)
  
• It is the spirit of a person that essentially makes up the person. The physical flesh and blood of an individual merely makes up his outer covering. The earthly outer covering will be changed to a heavenly covering but our spirit will continue for eternity. Hence it is the spirit of man that essentially tells you who the man is - his nature, his character, his attitude. These emanate from His spirit. Physical features like colour of skin, hair or eyes; our beauty or lack of it has no consequence. (2Cor. 4:16-5:9)
  
• The spirit of man continues forever. It cannot be destroyed. After its period on earth is over, it will continue - either in eternal life in the presence of God or in eternal damnation and suffering in hell. (Mt. 13:41-43)
  
• From an eternal perspective, our life span on earth is a mere breath - at best a 100 or so years (Psalm 39:5). If illustrated as a timeline, it could look like this:

 

 

• God has purposed beforehand a plan for each of us. This plan was designed before we were even born. The plan is essentially God's purpose for us while we are on earth and it is God's desire that we walk in it. For the plan is good and perfect. It has no mistake or flaw. (Eph. 2:10)

Having reminded ourselves of these truths, we can now try and understand God's purpose for us. I believe from the above truths it would be safe to say that God's purpose and plan for us goes beyond just this breath-span life period we have here on earth. In His eternal purpose which He planned beforehand He desires that we:

• live our lives seeking His face constantly with the intent of discovering His will.
• depend on Him, lean on and trust Him to help us walk in that will.
• love Him with all our heart and walk in His will.
• enjoy His presence and fellowship with Him.
• know Him as He increasingly makes Himself known to us.

Does God's plan for us also include earthly matters such as career, occupation, marriage, house, etc.? Of course, it does. If God provides for sparrows, how much more for us whom He died for. Every minute detail of our lives is planned for and fashioned by God. It is flawless and it is the best. There can be no better one.

If we seek His face, depend on Him, submit in obedience to His will, we can be certain that He will guide us to every phase of our life. We can rest in the assurance that His grace will provide for our every need and our lives which we have placed in His hand and control will remain in His best always. This teaching is in agreement with the scripture that says, "Seek first His kingdom and His Righteousness and all these things will be added to you." (Mt. 6:33)

One other truth to bring in here is that while He made all things in heaven and on earth - the stars, the planet, the sea, the seasons - He made all things subject to His command. They have no choice. But when He made us, He gave to us a will to choose. In all things we have a choice - to seek and discover God's will and walk in it or live by our will and desires.

Too often, even as Christians, we make our work and other earthly responsibilities so much of a focus that we miss out on the real purpose of our existence. We get so involved and tire ourselves out with all that is around us that we fail to achieve the true objective of our calling.

Though we've messed up what God has purposed for us, in His gracious mercy, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, He gives us hope and fresh opportunities to start anew.

Let us constantly remind ourselves that God has made us with the purpose that He and we could fellowship with each other; we should walk in obedience to a will and plan that is perfect and marvelous; and that we need to depend on Him as God who prepares for us before we have the need. Let us also remind ourselves that what we do with our spirit while in this earthly body is an opportunity that lasts for only a breath-span of a life and we must not waste it. Besides, our striving to live after God's will and purpose, honours God. It brings Him glory. He is pleased with us.

Oh that through His grace and leading, we would be faithful to walk in His purposes for they are true and honourable and right. They are pure, lovely and of good repute. They are excellent and worthy of praise.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!