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).