Some Works of the Indwelling Spirit
Is there anything more profound in this life than the knowledge and experience of the Holy Spirit being given to you? The reason the Christian believes in Jesus Christ is because he has been given the Spirit of Christ (Rom 5:5). The Lord Jesus promised to send the Spirit to be with us and be in us (Jn 14:17).
Like the wind going wherever it wills to go (Jn 3:8), so the Spirit is sovereign in entering the heart of those whom God has chosen before creation (Eph 1:4–5). Man can do nothing of his own initiative (Jn 5:30), and God is manipulated by the will of no other. God does all His holy will (Eph 1:11).
When the Spirit baptizes God’s elect ones (Mt 3:11; Acts 1:5), He expels the unclean spirits residing in and influencing one’s sinful flesh. The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit is Lord, Christ/grace reigns (Rom 5:21; 2 Cor 3:17). The natural man would never claim, “Jesus Christ is Lord (1 Cor 2:14; Phil 2:11).” She who is born again makes the claim because of the Spirit’s transformation from within (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3).
The Spirit, now indwelling the believer in Jesus (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Gal 4:6; 2 Tim 1:14), works to conform the Spirit-filled saint into the image of Christ Jesus (Rom 8:29). To see Jesus on the pages of Scripture, one knows the model type. He is the perfect God-man. As a new creature (2 Cor 5:17), a new creation (Gal 6:15), in Christ, the old things have passed, behold new things are manifesting (2 Cor 5:17).
The Christian’s new life in Christ comes with the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Her thoughts are held captive to Christ (2 Cor 10:5). Her thoughts are of His beauty and holiness. She contemplates His perfections, and she desires Him above all else (see Song of Songs).
It is the Spirit, employing the Word of truth, who causes the believer to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Cor 6:6–8; 2 Pet 3:18). The Spirit guides the Christian into all truth (Jn 16:13). God’s Word is truth (Jn 17:17). Her hunger for truth is abounding in the Spirit. She wants to know Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection (Phil 3:10).
The indwelling Spirit is also transforming the affections of the heart. Love for the world is replaced by love for God (1 Jn 2:15; 1 Jn 4:7). As the Spirit pours out the love of God in the regenerate heart (Rom 5:5), enmity toward God is replaced by peace with God (Rom 5:1). We love because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19). It is the Spirit who illumines this truth by the light of Christ shining within (2 Cor 4:6). The Christian knows she is loved from the Gospel story of what Christ suffered and sacrificed on her behalf (Rom 5:8). His motive, in dying on the cross for her, is eternal love (1 Jn 3:16). She believes because of the Spirit given to her (Rom 5:5; Phil 1:29).
Love spills over, in love for the brethren (1 Thess 4:9; Heb 13:1). The Christian would rather be with his small group, his church, or with other Christians at a conference than to be with unbelievers. The special times of gathering through the week are blessed times of refreshment. Christ’s sheep convene to converse about their Good Shepherd (Ps 23; Jn 10). They love one another because they share in the love of the Spirit.
The whole of the Christian life is lived in the wisdom, the will, and the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5). The promise of all things being worked for their good (Rom 8:28) comforts and helps the beloved of God through each difficult day (Jn 14:16). The Spirit is with them, for them, and in them. He will never leave nor forsake them (Heb 13:5). He is working their sanctification from beginning to end (Jn 17:17; 1 Thess 4:3, 7; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2).
It is blasphemous to claim a Christian can lose his salvation when salvation belongs to the Lord (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1). Jesus is authoring the believer’s faith from beginning to end (Heb 12:2). He does not fail (1 Cor 13:8; 1 Jn 4:8), being Omnipotent God (Rev 19:6), beside whom there is no other (2 Sam 7:22; 1 Chr 17:20). The predestined ones will surely be glorified (Rom 8:30) because the seed of glory has been planted in them, and God gives the increase (Ps 115:14). Here is the certainty, the guarantee, the assurance of salvation. He will do it (Ps 37:5; 57:2; 138:8).
Fruit is manifesting on the branch (Gal 5:22–23), which is grafted into the living Vine (Jn 15). Gifts abound as the re-made will of God’s adopted child is now to do His Father’s will (Ps 110:3; Rom 8:15). It is the Spirit causing this desire, and it is the Spirit empowering the growth in love and service. He is willing, and He is working from within (Gal 2:20; Phil 2:13; Col 1:27).
Hope of glory abounds, even through one’s suffering in trials. The hope of glory is Christ in us (Col 1:27). It is His Spirit, who sets the Christian’s focus on heaven above (Col 3:2). It is the Spirit who makes the heart long for home, in heavenly Zion (2 Cor 5:2). It is the Spirit producing patience, in those who are looking for Christ’s return and glorious appearing (Gal 5:22; 2 Tim 4:1, 8). The Spirit is the oil in our lamps (Mt 25:3, 4, 8). We wait for our Bridegroom in hope (Ps 39:7; Rom 8:25; Gal 5:5).
Christian, do you marvel at such grace given to you? Are you astonished that such grace has blessed you with every spiritual blessing? Rejoice, and again, I say rejoice in the Spirit, who made you alive, who abides and who works in you. He is proof of your salvation because He is your salvation.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
April 26, 2022
