Hovering over the face of the waters. Do you know what that means, believer? It means that the precious Holy Spirit was hovering over creation working the same way a brooding dove works when she hovers over her nest giving constant attention to her chicks as she incubates them and then tends their needs until they can fly and find food on their own.
The same way the Holy Spirit gave constant attention to creation, He gives constant attention to believers as He makes us a "new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17) in Christ. Does that make your heart race with joy the way it does mine? I think about the way a dove tends her nest, feeds her young, and teaches them to fly and I am reminded of how the Holy Spirit
- teaches me the things that are essential for me to know
- warns me of danger
- corrects me when I'm wrong
- encourages me to stretch my wings
- reminds me of my purpose
Let's look at five principles (page 102 in your workbook) that will help us understand how the Holy Spirit accomplishes His work of re-creation in our life.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away: behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
1. The principle of SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
In the same way the Breath of Life was able to turn lifeless clay into a living soul at creation, so ONLY the Holy Spirit is able to transform a repentant and believing sinner into a Christian who possesses eternal life.
An unbeliever may hear the gospel and be willing to repent of sin and trust Christ for salvation but he is ONLY brought to that point through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Other factors may encourage and influence people to trust Christ, but ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who makes them a new creation.
Understanding this principle of SPIRITUAL RENEWAL should affect the way we pray for others. We should pray for the Holy Spirit to work through us and the efforts we make to reach our friends and family with the gospel so that our efforts will be effective.
It should affect the way we pray for ourselves too. We should continually ask the Holy Spirit to use our Bible reading, our fellowship with other believers, and other spiritual disciplines (such as giving) in His continuing work of re-creation in our lives.
He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:6
2. The principle of SPIRITUAL STANDARDS
Many scriptures talk about the Finger of God or the Hand of the Lord and His mighty power in creating the world and everything in it. But at least two references remind us of the principle of SPIRITUAL STANDARDS in conjunction with this name of the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 31:18 tells us that the law of God, the Ten Commandments, was originally written by the Finger of God. In later years of Israel's history, when God judged Babylon, He first caused His message of judgment to be written upon a wall with His Finger. Read Daniel 5:5. We can easily understand that God's judgment is always based upon the standards of His law.
The same Finger of God that fashioned the heavens has recorded a spiritual standard in His Word by which we should govern our lives. Have you ever bought a new major appliance for your home? What came with it? In all probability you received a manual of how to care for and maintain the appliance that was written by its manufacturer. Similarly, our Creator has placed in the scriptures the information and directions we need to properly "operate" our lives!
3. The principle of the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Heb. 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God ....
When we understand that the world was created by the Word of God and that He calls His Word "the Sword of the Spirit" we will take advantage of the Word and use it as an effective tool in both our personal spiritual growth and in our personal battles.
Eph. 6:17 refers to "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The Greek word translated "word" in this verse is the word rhema which refers to a specific word that God brings to mind in a specific context.
Sometimes when you read your Bible, a specific word seems to jump off the page and speak directly to a particular need in your life. That's the Holy Spirit using the sword of the Spirit as rhema! At other times, you may struggle to make a decision and the Holy Spirit will bring a verse to your mind that clarifies the issues and helps you make a right decision. That's the Holy Spirit using the sword of the Spirit as rhema!
Recognizing this principle ought to motivate us in our personal Bible reading and memorizing. The Holy Spirit doesn't operate in a vacuum. He only speaks rhema to you if you are in the Word - reading and meditating on it. He won't bring scriptures to your mind as rhema if you've never taken the time to memorize them. Your faithfulness to read the Bible and memorize scripture will help ensure a greater effectiveness of the Sword of the Spirit in the re-creation process of your life.
4. The principle of the LEADING OF THE SPIRIT
This principle builds on the principles of SPIRITUAL STANDARDS and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT. If we recognize those principles, we will want to follow the LEADING OF THE SPIRIT through the clear teaching of the Word and His witness within us.
5. The principle of SPIRITUAL INTERVENTION
Throughout the history of God's creation, He has intervened in the past to accomplish His will and He will always be at liberty to intervene in the future.
When a person becomes a Christian, sometimes a significant change occurs in life that cannot be explained apart from the intervention of God. Sometimes the intervention of God is a significant event in a believer's life. Other times it can be so subtle that it may not be recognized as divine intervention but merely as the next logical step in a series of events.
We must never lose sight of God's sovereign control in His world. Recognizing that He can and does intervene should make us more open to allowing Him to make changes in our lives.
1 comment:
Great post! I'm not getting to do this study right now, but am enjoying your writings.
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