What the Spirit of God does

When a believer in Christ is saved, the Spirit of God unites him to Christ (Rom. 6:2-3), and Christ gives the Spirit to the believer (Eph. 1:13-14).  This gift is of such great benefit that Christ told the disciples it was better that He leave their presence physically so that they might be given this gift of the Spirit to be with them all individually and perpetually (Jn. 14:16ff).

That’s a small indication of the power of the Spirit of God. 

Have you ever pondered what you have received in the gift of the Spirit?  Have you considered what the Spirit has done and does?  Here is a partial list of the Spirit’s actions and the work of His power made available to you. 

• He was active in creation (Gen. 1:2; Ps. 104:30)
• He is the empowerment for ordinary tasks of “creation” among people — “Bezalel (Ex. 31:2–5; 35:30–35) and Hiram (1 Kings 7:14); ability to lead the nation, given to Joshua (Num. 27:16–18), Saul (1 Sam. 10:10), and David (1 Sam. 16:13); ability in warfare, given to Othniel (Judg. 3:10), Gideon (Judg. 6:34), and Jephthah (Judg. 11:29); and unusual physical strength, given to Samson (Judg. 14:19).” [ Enns, Moody Handbook of Theology, Kindle 5272-5; cf. also Grudem, Systematic Theology, Second Edition, 790f.]
• He was the agent in the generation of Christ (Mt. 1:20; Lk. 1:35) and was involved in all His ministry [cf. also MacArthur, Biblical Doctrine, 339–40.]:
  • He was the source of power for Christ’s obedience in sanctification — Christ was dependent on the Spirit (and His Word) (Lk. 4:1, 14, 18; Mk. 1:12; cf. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1-2)
  • He was involved in Christ’s obedience in death (Heb. 9:14; cf. Jn. 19:30)
  • He was involved in the resurrection of Christ (Rom. 1:4; 8:11)
• He is the source and power of Scripture:
  • He inspired Scripture (Is. 59:21; Eph. 3:5; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pt. 1:21; Rev. 1:4, 10)
  • He reveals Scripture (Num. 24:2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Neh. 9:20-30; Ezk. 2:2; 3:24; 8:3; 11:5, 24; Mic. 3:8; Hag. 2:5; Zech. 7:12; Mt. 10:20; Lk. 2:26; 12:12; Acts 1:16; 1 Pt. 1:10-12)
  • He illuminates Scripture (Lk. 12:12; Jn. 14:26; 16:13-15; 1 Cor. 2:9-14; cf. Acts 16:14; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 1:18; 4:23; Col. 1:9–10)
  • He instructs through Scripture (Neh. 9:20; Eph. 1:17-18; Eph. 5:18 // Col. 3:16; 1 Jn. 2:20, 27)
  • Because Scripture is authoritative and He is the source of Scripture, He is authoritative (Acts 5:32; 1 Jn. 5:6)
• He restrains sin (Gen. 6:3; 2 Thess. 2:7-8)
• He regenerates unbelievers (Ezk. 11:19; 36:27; 37:1ff; Jn.3:6-7; 6:63; Rom. 8:11; Tt. 3:5)
• He unites believers to Christ in spiritual baptism (Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27)
• He sanctifies believers (2 Thess. 1:3; 1 Pt. 1:2) and is the power for the believer’s life (Gal. 5:25; Rom. 8, esp. vv. 2-4), empowering (compelling/filling) them so that they can be obedient (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18; cf. 1:13-14; Jn. 14:16; Gal. 3:2)
• He intercedes for believers in prayer (Rom. 8:26) — omnisciently knowing both what the believer needs and having eternal access to (and union with) the Father
• He helps and comforts believers (Jn. 14:16), serving as their defender (Advocate, John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7)
• He is the source of the believer’s fruit (Gal. 5:22-25)
• He is the source of the believer’s gifting (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12)

This is the work of the Spirit.  He is adequate for all these things.  He is adequate and sufficient to empower you for all your needs and burdens of this day.  He is enough.

“Holy Spirit dove window” by hickory hardscrabble is licensed under CC BY 2.0.