Maturity in the Spirit
Day 39
by Gini Crawford, MSW
Power in the Spirit
One of the last things Jesus told His disciples as He ascended into heaven was to wait for the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-11). The Spirit would empower them to live for Him. Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Our power to live a Christian life comes from God's Spirit within us. So it makes sense, to be a strong or mature Christian you need to be filled with His power through the Spirit. A mature Christian is one who reflects the character of Jesus. When you are filled with the Spirit, life isn't always happy as you know, but you have the promise that God's power and love will allow you to be conquerors, even in a horrible death. There were 21 Christian men lined up on a beach to be beheaded by ISIS militants. Many said prayers such as "Jesus give me strength", as the knife took them from the presence of evil to the presence of eternal love. The Holy Spirit enables us to conquer our worst fears, stand firm for God and accomplish things beyond human fortitude, ability and strength. (Zechariah 4:6-7; Romans 8:2-4, 37).
...that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — ... being rooted and grounded in love ... Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us ... Ephesians 3:16-17, 20 ESV®
I can certainly feel inadequate in what God has called me to do. Do I write well enough to publish books? Do I teach God's Word rightly? Am I the wife, mother, grandmother and friend I should be? We can all feel insecure or inadequate, think we are broken or failures, have fears and worries that can cripple us psychologically, and even wonder if we would deny Jesus if faced with persecution. Yet, as self-doubts and struggles hit us, we need to remember that the overcoming power of the Holy Spirit lives within us. Call out to the Spirit, He will help you live a life that triumphs over even the worst of trials.
The Spirit prays for us
The Holy Spirit understands our inherent weaknesses, so He is always there to help. Romans 8:26a says, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness..." The Greek word here for helps (sunantilambano), is in the present tense and pictures the Spirit continuously helping us to carry a heavy load. The Greek word for weakness (astheneia) can encompass physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles stemming not just from suffering, but also from all sorts of life's circumstances. Life piles heavy burdens upon us, yet, the Spirit is always present, empowering us to bear these struggles. Our responsibility is to cooperate with the Spirit helping us.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,...to be conformed to the image of his Son... Romans 8:26-29 ESV®
In our weaknesses we often don't know what to pray, so looking at the Greek tense, the Spirit keeps on interceding for us with groanings too deep for words. While this might seem strange, it's actually the loving work of the Trinity on our behalf: The Spirit's prayers don't need words because they are directed to God the Father, Who understands. The Spirit always intercedes according to God's will, always for our good, to conform us to the image of His Son.
Sometimes, I feel like I am dealing with life alone, but the truth is, I never am. The Spirit is always with you. Seek the Spirit's help and you will pray according to God's will. Walk with Him and you will be cooperating with Him. What does it mean to you that Jesus' Spirit is with you, helping and even praying for you?
Life Application
A review on how the Holy Spirit blesses, empowers, and matures
The Holy Spirit knows you intimately and loves you dearly (Psalm 139; Romans 15:30). He acts as the divine conscience, convicting of sin, leading you to Jesus (John 16:7-9). When you are spiritually dead He causes regeneration making you a new creation; born again in the Spirit (John 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5).
The Holy Spirit is your constant loving companion, dwelling within you from the moment you are saved (John 14:16-17). He seals your salvation and is a pledge to guarantee your inheritance in heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14). He provides you assurance of your salvation and adoption as God's children (Romans 8:15-16). He even gives you your resurrected body (Romans 8:11). He brings God's love into our hearts (Romans 5:5), so His love literally lives within us.
The Spirit sanctifying you, sets you free from sin and reconciles you with God at the moment you believe (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2). Sanctification is a process too, so as you walk with the Spirit, He helps you to overcome your sin nature, maturing you in Jesus, and giving you His fruit, His character (2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 5:16, 22-23).
The Spirit brings the power that formed the universe within you allowing you to overcome the hardest of trials and live a life pleasing to God. He equips you to be His witness, sharing the hope of salvation with others. (Acts 1:8). He brings comfort and encouragement (Acts 9:31). He is constantly interceding on your behalf, so you can have a victorious and fruitful life in God. (Romans 8:26-27). He is your teacher from God, making God's truth, wisdom, will and promises come alive. (John 14:25; 1 Corinthains 2:7-13). What is the one thing the Holy Spirit does for you that means the most to you? Explain.
Beyond individual transformation, the Holy Spirit is the catalyst for the Church, the Body of Christ. He initiates love and unity among believers. He equips believers with spiritual gifts such as teaching, evangelism, helps, wisdom, and leadership, enabling the Church to effectively fulfill its mission to evangelize and make disciples. (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11-13). What spiritual gifts do you think you have from the Spirit?
A caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly is an excellent illustration of how the Spirit changes us from people bound to this earth to people connected to Heaven. Without the Spirit we are very much like the caterpillar struggling to survive but sensing there is something better. When the Spirit seals and regenerates us there is a heavenly life and beauty that permeates our spirit and soul - telling us we are a new creation enabled to fly to new heights in Jesus on this earth and into eternity, doing beautiful things for God. We could say, God's love through His Spirit has given us wings to fly to heights beyond this earth. He loves you!
Reflect on Acts 1:8