The Holy Spirit is so identified with the Bible, one of His names is Truth! In fact, Peter reveals that the Holy Spirit is the inspirational Author of the Old Testament Scriptures. (2 Pet. 1:20-21) And Paul wrote to Timothy, encouraging him to stay in the Scriptures because, “all Scripture is God-breathed,” referring once again to the Spirit-inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16, NIV).
Have you been trying to work up some kind of emotional feeling? If you lack “it,” have you felt you didn’t have the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, which means He always works according to and through the Word of God whether you feel Him or not. Have you been seeking some ecstatic experience, thinking that would be the Holy Spirit? Remember that He never acts independently; He always works through the Truth – the living Word of God, Who is Jesus, and the written Word of God, which is your Bible. He is never spooky or silly or superficial or self-promoting. He is the Spirit of Truth.
One reason I never approach the Scripture without praying first is because it is the person of the Holy Spirit Who clarifies the truth for you and me. Jesus identified His role in this way: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
The Bible is a wonderful book of history and poetry and prophecy and ceremony. Anyone can be blessed by just reading this truly magnificent piece of literature that spans the years of human history. But there is a unique blessing that is reserved for those who prayerfully, earnestly, and humbly approach it by faith as the truth, seeking to go past the surface reading into the deeper meaning. And it is impossible to reach this deeper level of understanding and blessing without the Holy Spirit’s guidance. How do you approach God’s Word?
Jesus described the Holy Spirit as “Another.” The Greek word actually means “another who is exactly the same.” So although the Holy Spirit is a distinct person, He is exactly the same as Jesus, but without the physical body. He has been described as Jesus without skin. Or, like an FBI agent, He is Jesus undercover.
We know that Jesus is in heaven. As the first martyr, Stephen, was being stoned to death, he looked up and saw heaven open and Jesus standing at God’s right hand, preparing to welcome him home! (Acts 7:56)
But that doesn’t mean Jesus has left us to stumble through the darkness of the future on our own. He promised His disciples that when He went to heaven, He would ask His Father to send down to earth “Another.” One Who would have His same mind, will, emotions, and intellect. Jesus called Him the Counselor (John 14:16), because He is readily available to give us wisdom for our decisions, direction for our future, insight into our problems, and management for our responsibilities.
The branches of a vine “abide” by just remaining connected to the vine. Permanently. Consistently. Day after day, week after week, year after year. They simply rest in their position, allowing the sap of the vine to flow freely through them. They exert no effort of their own. The fruit that is subsequently borne on the branch is actually produced by the life-giving sap within.
To abide in Christ means to remain connected to Him so completely that the “sap” of His Spirit flows through every part of your being, including your mind, will, and emotions as well as your words and deeds. The “fruit” that you then bear is actually produced by His Spirit in you through no conscious effort of your own. If you and I want to be fruitful, we do not concentrate on fruit-bearing; we concentrate on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ was crucified as a criminal, as a blaspheming heretic, as an enemy of Rome and of God. What changed the world’s opinion of Him? Why does He go down in history as a good Man? Or a great Prophet? Why do people put their trust in a crucified Jew two thousand years after He lived on earth? The change in opinion was brought about by none other than the Holy Spirit Who convinced the world of the truth – that Jesus Christ was not only crucified, but that He rose from the dead! He’s alive! Jesus announced to His disciples that “when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt . . . in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer” (16:8-10, NIV). The proof of the righteousness of Jesus Christ is in the fact that God didn’t leave Him on the cross, bearing your sin and mine, but raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand, placing all authority in the universe under His feet!
Who do you know who needs to change his mind about Jesus? Pray for that person.
