Come, Holy Spirit
While Christian faith rightly centers on the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the unmerited grace of God, the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit is sometimes underemphasized or misunderstood. Yet the Holy Spirit is not merely a theological concept or a background figure in the Trinity. He is the living, active presence of God within believers—guiding, convicting, empowering, sanctifying, and comforting.
God With Us—and Within Us
At the heart of the Spirit’s ministry is His indwelling presence. As Paul reminds the Corinthian church, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Cor. 6:19–20). This indwelling is more than a spiritual reality to be acknowledged—it is a radical redefinition of identity. To be indwelt by the Spirit is to belong to God and to be set apart for His purposes.
I love this truth from J.I. Packer in his book, Knowing God: “The Spirit of God is in no way less than God himself. He is his full and personal and immediate presence.” This means that every believer carries within them the very presence of God, not symbolically, but actually. It is this presence that reshapes our desires, reorients our priorities, and deepens our communion with God.
A New Beginning
The Spirit's work begins even before we come to faith, as He convicts the world “about sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). This convicting work is not condemnation but invitation—a call to turn, to repent, and to receive grace.
Yet the Spirit not only convicts; He regenerates. Titus 3:5 declares, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Regeneration is not self-improvement—it is rebirth. It marks the mysterious but real beginning of the believer’s transformation into the likeness of Christ.
In his book, Mere Christianity: C.S. Lewis writes, “Christ says, ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you.’” This total surrender opens the way for the Spirit’s renewing power to make us new.
Can I Get a Witness
Jesus' final promise to His disciples was not merely of comfort, but of power: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses...” (Acts 1:8). This empowerment is both the source of our boldness and the engine of our mission. The Spirit does not simply equip us to speak; He gives us the words, the courage, and the wisdom necessary for faithful witness.
Moreover, the Spirit imparts diverse spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church. Peter exhorts us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Pet. 4:10). These gifts are not for personal prestige, but for the flourishing of the body of Christ and the extension of God’s Kingdom.
Comfort and Guidance
In a world marked by suffering, uncertainty, and loss, the Holy Spirit also serves as our Comforter and Guide. Jesus reassured His disciples, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16–17). His presence is not merely consoling but sustaining. In moments of weakness, the Spirit meets us in our vulnerability.
Paul beautifully reminds us in Romans 8:26–27: “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.” The Spirit prays what we cannot express, stands with us in our suffering, and leads us in paths we cannot navigate on our own. His ministry is deeply personal and profoundly powerful.
It's Who We Are in Christ
The Spirit also works continuously to sanctify believers—to conform us more and more to the image of Christ. Sanctification is not simply behavioral change; it is the Spirit’s work in reshaping the core of who we are. The Fruit of the Spirit is the outward evidence of this inner transformation “the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).
In his work The Mortification of Sin, Owen emphasizes that this transformation cannot be manufactured by human effort alone: “The Spirit of God is that principle of divine operation in our souls that brings change, progresses sanctification, and elevates us beyond our natural condition.” Sanctification, then, is not optional or peripheral—it is central to what it means to live as a Spirit-filled follower of Christ.
In Step with the Spirit
The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both comprehensive and intimate. He convicts us, regenerates us, empowers us, comforts us, and sanctifies us—all to the glory of God and the good of His people. As we grow in Christ, we are invited into a posture of daily dependence and openness to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
To be a Christian is to live in relationship with the triune God, and the Holy Spirit is the very means by which that relationship is sustained. As we yield more fully to His transformative presence, we become more fully alive—reflecting Christ not only in word, but in being.
So What?
1. Cultivate Daily Awareness of the Spirit’s Presence
Since the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, we are never apart from God's presence. Set aside regular time each day—whether in prayer, meditation, or silence—to acknowledge and welcome the Holy Spirit. Begin your day with a simple prayer like, “Holy Spirit, guide me today.” This practice helps shift your mindset from self-reliance to Spirit-dependence.
2. Respond to Conviction with Humility and Repentance
The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin not to condemn, but to transform. When you sense conviction—whether through Scripture, conscience, or counsel—respond with openness rather than defensiveness and ask God for the grace to change.
3. Serve Others
The Spirit empowers and equips believers with gifts for service and witness. Identify your spiritual gifts (through prayer, reflection, or even a church-led assessment), and look for specific ways to use them in your church or community. Whether it's teaching, hospitality, intercession, or encouragement—actively steward your gift for the benefit of others.
4. Seek the Spirit’s Guidance
The Holy Spirit leads and comforts us, especially in times of uncertainty or trial. Before making decisions—big or small—pause and pray: “Spirit of truth, lead me.” Read Scripture, seek godly counsel, and pay attention to internal peace or unrest. Trust that the Spirit desires to guide you into God’s best.
5. Pursue Holiness
Sanctification is a Spirit-empowered process, not a self-improvement project. Instead of merely trying harder to be good, practice surrender. Regularly ask the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life (Gal. 5:22–23). When you fall short, rely on grace and return to the Spirit for renewal and strength.
Come, Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not a distant doctrine to be merely studied or admired—He is the living God, dwelling in us, working through us, and transforming us from the inside out. If we truly believe this, then indifference is no longer an option. We must ask ourselves: Am I yielding to the Spirit’s presence or resisting His promptings? Am I living by His power, or still trying to do life on my own terms?
Too often we settle for a version of Christianity that is informed but not transformed—filled with knowledge, yet lacking power. We talk about grace, but struggle to live in it. We claim to belong to Christ, yet ignore the One He sent to dwell in us and lead us into all truth. And yet, even here, the Spirit does not condemn us—He gently calls us back.
This is the grace of the gospel: the same Spirit who convicts also renews. The same Spirit who exposes our sin also empowers our obedience. The same Spirit who dwells in us is patiently forming Christ in us.
So, let this be more than a theological affirmation. Let it be an invitation to deeper surrender. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you—not just once, but daily. Let Him renew your priorities, stir your love for Jesus, and awaken you to the mission He has placed in your hands.
We are not alone. We are not powerless. We are temples of the living God. Let us not grieve the Spirit by neglecting His presence, but instead, let us walk in step with Him—joyfully, humbly, and boldly.
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” – Romans 8:11
Come, Holy Spirit. Amen.
