I believe the Holy Spirit convicts, calls, converts and changes me as a child of God.
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
Romans 8:9
One of the most beautiful expressions of God’s love for us is his act of adopting us as sons and daughters into his family. Paul writes about this beautiful relationship in his letter to the Romans when he says we are assured by the Holy Spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:14-16). The Holy Spirit is the sealing gift given to those who believe in Jesus and receive salvation.
This precious and powerful gift of the Holy Spirit in my life is evident in so many ways. I recognize that the Spirit of God drew me to the Lord and convicted me of my own sin and desperate need for salvation. The Spirit guided me to the truth of the gospel and produced a changed heart in me. He works in me daily to bring me closer to Jesus and to be shaped to be more like him. He makes me aware of the path he wants me to take in my life. He encourages me through his Word and through my fellowship with other disciples to live out God’s calling to make disciples of all nations by expressing Christian love to all people.
The Holy Spirit is constantly at work in my life. This is true for all Christians as evidenced in Scripture and in times of personal reflection. Following are six ways that the Holy Spirit is at work in a believer’s life. Reflect on the reality of his work in your own life in the following ways.
He Convicts
The Holy Spirit comes upon the world to convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He convicts people concerning the sin of unbelief in Jesus Christ the Savior, the righteousness necessary for those who would spend eternity with the Lord, and the reality that judgment has come upon Satan, who has already been defeated (John 16:8-11). Conviction such as this demands a response leading to transformation necessary for eternal life with God. Without conviction, humans are destined to live a hopeless and idolatrous life that leads to eternal suffering and separation from God.
He Converts
The Holy Spirit works to transform the human who, only through the work of God, hears the gospel and responds in belief. The Holy Spirit also cleanses us from sin, regenerating us and declaring us righteous (Titus 3:4-7). Without conversion, one cannot enter the perfect, unblemished family of God. Only through God’s grace is this transformation possible. The proper response of the one converted is devotion to doing good according to the Lord’s general and specific calling.
He Calls
The Holy Spirit empowers each believer with gifts that are to be used for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). The general calling of the Lord for Christians is to utilize those gifts within their righteous lives, living according to their new life created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). It is constantly observed that the Holy Spirit of God calls specific people to specific work to be done according to the will and plans of the Father. From Old Testament patriarchs and matriarchs to New Testament apostles, the chosen people of God are specifically called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do certain things and pursue a certain mission. Thankfully, the Lord does not leave us to fulfill our general or specific calling alone. The Lord promises that he will be with us as we pursue him and live out his calling in our lives (Matthew 28:20).
He Changes
The Holy Spirit, from his wooing of our heart to the fulfillment of the calling in the earthly life of each Christian, is cleansing us from sin and making each of us more holy. This transforming work of the Holy Spirit, also known as sanctification, is for the ultimate purpose of elevating the glory of the Lord as we recognize and thank him for his beautiful and constant formation of our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:18). Christians speak often about the desire to be more like Jesus. The reality is that sanctification is not possible without the consistent work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who call Jesus Lord.
He Comforts
Before Jesus died, he promised his disciples that he would not leave them to be alone, but would ask the Father to give them a Comforter and Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who would be with them forever and bring them his peace (John 14:16, 26-27). The Holy Spirit also goes before us to the Father and intercedes for us when we do not know what to pray for (Romans 8:26).
He Counsels
The Holy Spirit counsels through the Word of God to illuminate truth and guide God’s people in the right paths. He reminds us of who Jesus is and what he has done on our behalf (John 16:13-15). He even helps us when we do not know what to say or how to act in our gospel encounters. In fact, he tells us not to worry about what to say but to trust him, knowing that the Spirit of the Father will speak through us (Matt 10:19-20).
PRAYER
Father, thank you for the glorious grace that you have lavished upon me. Thank you for saving me and generously giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit in my life. Lord, by your Spirit help me to be more like Jesus. I know that I cannot be the person you want me to be apart from your Spirit’s constant work of transformation in my life. I submit to you, Father, and to the ministry of your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus and by the power of your Spirit I pray. Amen.