Holy Spirit in you (Part One)

Our perspective or view of life will either grow us or it will diminish us. "Two men were behind bars. One saw mud, the other saw stars". Situations don't define us. Perspective defines us. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, is given to the believer to show us what God sees through the finished work of His Son.


We are often captivated by how something will end, whether it is a mystery story, a person's life or even a reality show whose subject matter is a building renovation. God the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to us the nature of the finished work of Jesus because He wants to share His view of life in all of its abundance.


To this end the Holy Spirit is given to the believer so that he will see heaven's view of life in Christ. Not only is the Holy Spirit given but His place of residence is within the believer. He is heaven's ambassador living inside the believer. He wants to grow us into the person or character of Christ so that we become "complete in Christ" (Heb.13:21) The Holy Spirit is given so that the believer can become His witness in our world (Acts 1:8) as well as giving the believer a new boldness to live for Christ (being His witness).


He will unpack the Word of God to our understanding so that it becomes a vital part of our daily lives. In fact an evidence of His work in the believer will be a hunger to receive His Word. The early church "received the word gladly..." (Acts 2:41). The Holy Spirit will both stimulate and feed hunger for truth. He will grow the believer by conviction. Conviction will always be built upon what Christ has done as opposed to condemnation which feeds upon guilt and shame. The Holy Spirit will remind the believer of his new status now having the righteousness of Christ, the free gift of God to the sinner. He will remind us of the fact that He will never turn His back on us and will diminish us because of our broken past. These truths will grow new convictions from which new perspectives will develop.


He will help us as we determine to make Jesus the subject of our Bible reading and study. He will always act on His Word. As we develop a daily habit of receiving from His Word, the Holy Spirit will grow us into the character of Christ just as a balanced diet will grow our bodies. You cannot grow on your own. Invite Him to work in you and to reveal heaven's perspective to you. His perspective will cause us to declare that "all things (the good, the bad and even the downright ugly) work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom.8:28)





This blog is based upon a message spoken by Ross Smith called "The Holy Spirit In You"  (Part One) on 1st Feb 2015 at The Vine Church, Logan City, Queensland, Australia. The full message can be accessed by podcast at www.thevine.org.au