THE SPIRIT OF GRACE
Because salvation is ALL of grace (see Ephesians 2:5-8), it should not be surprising that the Spirit of Grace is one of His saving names. The Holy Spirit in our hearts is the Spirit of Grace. It is He who gives us confidence before God to know that we are accepted in God's presence despite our sins; not because of what we have done - but because of the finished work of Christ.Eph. 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
The Spirit of Grace accepts the sinner for salvation because of God's unmerited favor (grace).
THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH
The same verse in Ephesians (above) tells us that our salvation is BY grace THROUGH faith. In 2 Cor. 4:13 Paul refers to the Holy Spirit as the same Spirit of faith. Simply put, the Holy Spirit not only applied the grace of God to effect our salvation, He also gave us the faith to make it possible. The Holy Spirit gives the faith that enables the sinner to believe.Part of His work in our lives is to reveal the greatness of God to us and to help us trust God during the difficult times. The same Spirit of faith helped Abraham have the faith to leave his homeland and follow God. The same Spirit of faith enabled Abraham to believe God's promise to make of him a great nation. The Holy Spirit has not changed. The same Spirit of faith today can enable you to trust God during times God has pulled you out of your comfort zone.
The same Spirit of faith gave Moses faith to follow God's leading throughout years of dealing with stubborn and complaining Israelites. The Holy Spirit has not changed. The same Spirit of faith can help you follow God today - even when your path leads through the wilderness.
The same Spirit of faith gave David steadfast trust in God that helped him rule faithfully over the nation of Israel. The Holy Spirit has not changed. The same Spirit of faith can help you manage your life and responsibilities.
A NEW SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the New Spirit that enters our hearts at salvation. He enters a heart that has been hardened by sin and pours the love of God into it to soften it. When we realize how much the Father loves us and how much Jesus suffered to purchase our salvation, our hearts soften in repentance and faith.The New Spirit gives us a new view of our sins - a new view of the gospel - and a new view of salvation. But most of all, the New Spirit gives us a new heart to call upon God.
2 Cor. 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Have you stopped lately to thank the Holy Spirit for how He gave you a new nature and changed you from the inside out? He literally gave us a divine heart transplant and a new perspective on life. We could never accomplish a true change in our basic nature on our own. It is the work of the Holy Spirit!
THE SPIRIT OF LIFE
The Spirit of life within us has set us free from the bondage of legalism. We are free to listen to His voice and follow His leading. Aren't you glad He is patient in teaching us little by little how to walk with Him - how to follow His leading - how to experience LIFE in the Spirit on a daily basis? I sure am! The Spirit of Life (the Holy Spirit) is God's agent of re-creation in our lives. It is He who imparts the Zoe life of God in our hearts. Because of Him, we are no longer the old self, we have become children of God and God's DNA is in us!THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION
The Spirit of Adoption reveals the Holy Spirit's ministry in appointing us as heirs within the family of God. Paul used adoption as a picture of the way we become members of God's family. In Roman law of the first century, adopted sons lost all rights in their former families and gained full inheritance rights alongside the natural sons. They aren't second-class sons, relegated to the back row when family treasures are divided. They receive an equal portion of the inheritance!
The Spirit of Adoption reveals the Holy Spirit's ministry in appointing us as heirs within the family of God. Paul used adoption as a picture of the way we become members of God's family. In Roman law of the first century, adopted sons lost all rights in their former families and gained full inheritance rights alongside the natural sons. They aren't second-class sons, relegated to the back row when family treasures are divided. They receive an equal portion of the inheritance!Paul says the Spirit of Adoption allows us to relate to God as SONS and to call Him by a personal, intimate name that would only be used by true sons - "Abba."
Oh my sweet sisters, do you know that you can talk to your Abba about your most private concerns and have total confidence in the fact that He cares about the things that concern you? You can tell Him your deepest fears and trust Him to comfort you. You can ask Him to give you guidance for the circumstances you must deal with. You can go to Him any time of the day or night without waiting for an invitation. You have that right because the Spirit of Adoption has given you eternal membership in God's family.
Do you enjoy intimacy with your Abba or do you neglect the "sonship" that is one of the greatest privileges of your life? Your Abba is waiting to hear from you. Spend some time today telling Him what it means to you to be His child.
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