The Trinity of Love--God the Holy Spirit

Spirit & Truth

“The Trinity of Love - God the Holy Spirit”

By Rev. Greg Smith

Approx. 560 words

© 2012

Recently I read about Gordon Brownville's Symbols of the Holy Spirit, which tells about

“the great Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first to discover the magnetic meridian of the North Pole and to discover the South Pole. On one of his trips, Amundsen took a homing pigeon with him. When he had finally reached the top of the world, he opened the bird's cage and set it free. Imagine the delight of Amundsen's wife, back in Norway, when she looked up from the doorway of her home and saw the pigeon circling in the sky above. No doubt she exclaimed, "He's alive! My husband is still alive!"

So it was when Jesus ascended. He was gone, but the disciples clung to his promise to send them the Holy Spirit. What joy, then, when the dovelike Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. The disciples had with them the continual reminder that Jesus was alive and victorious at the right of the Father. This continues to be the Spirit's message.”#

   

Jesus knew He would soon be taken from His disciples, and He wanted to reassure them that they would not be left alone.  In John 16:17 (The Message), Jesus says, “If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you.”  This word “Friend” is found in other translations as “Counselor,” “Helper,” and “Advocate.”  The Greek word, Parakletos, means someone who comes alongside of you, and can make a good call for you because He knows you so well.  This is the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer--your Friend who helps at all times.

    Jesus says in verses 13-14 (MSG), “But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you.”  The Spirit’s job is not to glorify Himself, or to be glorified by worshippers.  The Spirit’s job is point to Jesus, like a spotlight that doesn’t want to be seen but wants to illuminate something else.  Churches and ministries that exalt the Holy Spirit above the other persons of the Godhead need to reevaluate their priorities, because the Spirit is shy--pointing to Jesus rather than pointing to Himself.

    Some other works of the Spirit are: revealing God’s will (2 Peter 1:21); indwelling the believer (1 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:8-9); transforming the believer (2 Corinthians 3:18); producing spiritual fruit within the Christian (Ephesians 5:22-24); granting spiritual gifts to believers for the upbuilding of the church (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12); and sending Christians on mission for Jesus (Acts 1:8).  

    Is your faith life dry and lifeless?  You need the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Do you have a difficult time understanding your Bible?  You need the Holy Spirit to illuminate your heart.  Do you lack energy for your daily Christian walk?  Let the Holy Spirit give you His power.  John 6:36 and 2 Corinthians 3:6 both say that “The Spirit gives life.”  I invite you to walk in His life today.