A relationship with God changes us forever. The Bible gives us evidence of how lives are changed. Scripture points toward this life-change in the Old Testament and Jesus speaks of this transformation in the gospels. New Testament writers share of lives reformed in all who receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Sin is forgiven and new life is given through the Holy Spirit, who lives in us.
In the gospel of John, Jesus talks to His disciples about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a member of the Holy Trinity, with God and Jesus.
John 14:25-27
“These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
The Holy Spirit teaches truth, brings scripture to mind and provides God’s peace in us. Jesus walked the earth in a human body. As a human, He was confined by time and space. Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit was not like anything in the world. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is an awesome gift, because the Holy Spirit is not confined by time and space.
God’s grace extends beyond what we can comprehend. Even the definition of grace, reinforces this: unmerited favor of God toward man. Unmerited—not a word easily embraced—we do not earn or deserve it.
Remember the conversation in Receive (Part 1) that talked about our desire to earn and “do it ourselves”? Keeping a record, deserving, and earning are the opposite of receiving. The Holy Spirit within us changes us to be more like Jesus by helping, teaching, and reminding of truth.
Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit is a gift that changes our hearts when we repent and ask forgiveness for our sins. We are changed to a life of hope because of God’s love that lives in us.
Romans 5:5(CSB)
This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The Holy Spirit is the gift that helps us to stay in the place of hope, joy, peace, and purpose as He intercedes and assists according to God’s will.
Romans 8:26-27
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
While the way of the world is to run after control, power, and approval. The way of the believer is to receive hope, joy, peace, and purpose as the Holy Spirit helps in ways beyond what we understand. Freedom rises as we believe, expect and receive God’s grace.