What the Spirit has done (and does)

The Galatians overlooked and minimized the work of the Holy Spirit of God. They acknowledged that He was instrumental in their salvation, but they were determined to bypass His work for their ongoing sanctification — they believed that they were capable of sanctifying themselves without His efforts.

The temptation that derailed their walk with Christ is (unfortunately) alive and well today.  Paul’s remedy for the Galatians was to ask them (interrogate with) questions that were to be stimulants to remember the Spirit’s work in their lives (Gal. 3:1-5). 

Just what has the Spirit done — and what does He continue to do?  Here is a short list of His works:

• 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:
  • 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. Is. 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 brief list is a reminder of both our inadequacy and the Spirit’s adequacy to provide all we need for sanctification — and all things.  He is a graciously sufficient Spirit, given as Christ’s gift to all believers so that we might eternally know His presence (Jn. 14:16-17).

“Holy Spirit Stained Glass” by hickory hardscrabble is licensed under CC BY 2.0.