Let me ask you a question: When you give someone you love a gift - especially a gift that cost you a great deal - don't you hope they will enjoy it? I sure do! And so does God. He wants us to enjoy our salvation. Four principles arise from the atonement names of the Holy Spirit we have discussed in this lesson. These principles help us see how we can enjoy these saving names of the Holy Spirit. [For those of you using the companion workbook for this study, see page 55.]
1. The principle of COMPLETE PROVISIONI can remember years of sending my children off to various camps or youth trips. Perhaps many of you can too. Usually there would be a checklist provided for parents of what to pack (and what NOT to pack) for the camp. Most times the list would itemize not only the "necessities" but also would include suggestions for "extras" that would add to their enjoyment. If I carefully packed everything on the list and provided for all the needs they would encounter at camp, my child would have a far greater enjoyment of their camp experience than they would if I forgot to pack some essential item (like their bathing suit!). And, if I added some of the "extras," my child would experience even more enjoyment.
The saving names of the Holy Spirit remind us that God's provision in salvation is complete. Our Heavenly Father has packed complete provisions for every emergency on life's journey. He has given us a bountiful supply of grace - and faith - and resurrection power!
Consider these provisions of the Holy Spirit in salvation:
- for our guilt - He offers forgiveness "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7
- for our sense of rejection - He offers acceptance "to the praise of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." Ephesians 1:6
- for our alienation - He brings us close to God "But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13
- for our deadness in sin - He gives us life "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins." Ephesians 2:1
- our bondage is exchanged - for liberty "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1
- our poverty is replaced - by His riches "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
And that, sweet sisters, is only a partial list of what our Heavenly Father has packed for His children through His Holy Spirit. There is much to be enjoyed in the Holy Spirit's COMPLETE PROVISION of salvation.
2. The principle of FAMILY SECURITY
Our spiritual assurance is guaranteed by the Person and work of God. If God were to take eternal life from anyone, it would be a denial of His nature and work. God is true and just. He cannot deny Himself. Therefore, anyone who has accepted the gift of eternal life, has that eternal life forever.
The saving names of the Holy Spirit indicate His ability to complete the good work of salvation that He has begun in us. (see Philippians 1:6) They also express His power over anything that would threaten the believer - "You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him." John 17:2
Not only do we have security in knowing that our salvation will never be taken away; we also have the promise that nothing can separate us from God's love. "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
3. The principle of FAMILY IDENTITY
Of all the saving names of the Holy Spirit, doesn't the Spirit of Adoption give you a marvelous sense of family identity? You are the blood bought, dearly loved child of God - a joint heir with Jesus! In one sense, as believers, we are simply letting Jesus live His life through us. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Many people have searched out their family tree to discover that they are distantly related to some important ancestor. Often, when they learn this, they begin to change their lifestyle as they subconsciously begin to live as that famous ancestor lived.
How does the fact that your Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills affect your outlook on your financial needs? How does the fact that your Father is El Gibbor, the MIGHTY God, affect how you feel when you are threatened by an enemy? You see, you have a FAMILY IDENTITY in the family of the great and awesome God who invites you to call Him by the tender, intimate name of Abba. His attention is always toward you. His arms are always open to embrace you. Because you are identified with His family, He is available to you 24/7/365! Shouldn't that make a difference in the way you live?
4. The principle of CONTINUING SUPPORT
The Holy Spirit had a role in providing your salvation. As the Eternal Spirit, he acted in a priestly role of intercession; as the Gift of God, he brought eternal life; as the Spirit of Him who Raised Up Jesus from the dead, He brings resurrection power into your life.
The Holy Spirit had a role in effecting your salvation. As the Spirit of Grace, He accepted you for salvation; as the Same Spirit of Faith, He enabled you to believe; as A New Spirit, He gave you a new nature; as the Spirit of Life, He made you alive to God; and as the Spirit of Adoption, He made you an heir to God.
He has not done all these things in your life only to leave you on your own. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He continues supporting you throughout your life as He grows you up into spiritual maturity and teaches you God's Word and will. In lesson 5, we will look at some of the Holy Spirit's maturing names and in lesson 6, His teaching names.
Spend some time today thanking God for the continuing support and ministry of His Holy Spirit in your life. I shudder to think where we would be without HIM!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment