The Riches of His Grace Poured Out in the Spirit

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinitarian Godhead, is the agent of salvation in the effectual calling of the elect people of God (Rom 8:30; Eph 1:4–5; 1 Pet 2:9). The appropriation of faith, by grace, occurs when the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the elect through Jesus Christ, our Savior (Titus 3:6). This is the love of God, who is love, poured out within our hearts, when the Spirit is given to us (Rom 5:5). This is the gift of God (Acts 10:45).

Salvation for the saint is the Spirit of Christ, the divine person poured out, baptizing, washing, renewing, regenerating, indwelling, and living the life of God in the heart of God’s beloved elect (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Gal 2:20). The believer’s union with Christ is Spirit. Just as she is positioned in Christ (1 Cor 1:30), seated with Him in the heavenlies (Eph 2:6), so the Holy Spirit is positioned in her heart (Gal 2:20). The union is inseparable because He has promised to never leave nor forsake His adopted child.

He who has Christ the Son, has the Holy Spirit. He who does not have Christ, the Son of God, does not have the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:36; 1 Jn 5:12). Here is salvation: Christ in me, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).

The Holy Spirit is a token or pledge of the saint’s full inheritance (2 Cor 5:5). Glorification, body and soul, will come in the resurrection of the saints on the day of Christ’s return (Jn 5:28–29; Rom 8:30; 1 Cor 15). Those who have had the Spirit poured out (ekxeo) upon them in this life, will receive glorified bodies (1 Jn 3:2). The regeneration of the soul, by the Spirit, is the precursor to the resurrection of the body. This hope of an indestructible body has its foretaste in the irresistible grace, in the Spirit.

Irresistible grace is the indwelling of the ever-present Spirit of God (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). He who began in you, also began a good work in you. His faithful promise is to complete that work (Phil 1:6). The work is called, “sanctification (1 Thess 4:3; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13).” It is the sole work of the Spirit, to set apart a people for God’s own possession, a holy nation (1 Pet 2:9).

The word to describe God’s assessment of this work is “riches (2 Cor 8:9; Eph 1:7).” The riches of His grace have been poured out richly (plousios). He has lavished us with His permanent presence.

All of this is through Jesus Christ. In other words, without the finished work of Jesus Messiah, the Spirit would not have been given. This was the perfect will of God, however. From eternity, it was decreed that man would fall the state of innocence, Christ would come and redeem His people, and the Spirit would be given to them as a gift of grace. Where the Spirit is present to bring salvation, there is grace. Where there is no salvation, there is no grace from God.

The pouring out of the Holy Spirit is laden with evidence of the goodness of God. God has poured out His indestructible life, as an indescribable gift. Recipients of this gift have tasted and seen that God is good. His Word to them occupies their hearts and minds. Their affections are for Christ because He has demonstrated His love for them and given them His love, in giving them His Spirit. Praise be to God for the riches of His grace, the presence of His Spirit!

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

October 2, 2021