The Holy Spirit

In the coming weeks leading up to Pentecost, we will reflect on the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The quintessential work that the Spirit wants to deposit into all followers of Jesus has to do with your adoption into God’s family. The Apostle Paul states it like this,

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 5:1-5).

God’s love has been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. There is a specific work of the Spirit that sometimes is overlooked in charismatic circles. Too often, Spirit-filled believers contend and strive for experiences, manifestations, and power for both a life that pleases God, and a life marked by the supernatural. All of these are legitimate and amazing works that the Holy Spirit desires to produce in the life of all followers of Jesus. However the deepest work that the Spirit desires to deposit in all followers of Jesus is an increasing awareness of the Father’s love, in other words, a deep and real confirmation of who you belong to.