Holy Spirit, Part 2 – The Spirit’s vital role in the believer’s life
We have been discussing the vital roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. In the last session we covered the Holy Spirit’s role in salvation.
This time we are studying what scripture indicates are the Spirit’s roles in the Christian walk. These roles are roughly divided into two basic types: constant and variable roles.
Constant roles of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit has several roles not dependent on the actions of believers:
- Indwells – The Spirit is given to us as a seal to our salvation by God at the time of our belief (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:4). The spirit indwells in us always until the day of our redemption Therefore, believers have the Holy Spirit and possess full access to His power and help (Romans 8:9).
- Prays for believers (Romans 8:26) – This great truth indicates the Spirit prays to God on behalf of believers. What better source of prayer could one have?
Therefore, as in salvation, when the Holy Spirit convicted us to come to faith, regenerated us, placed us in the church and sealed us to the day of our redemption (please review the prior podcast), now in our Christian life the He has several key unwavering roles that He graciously provides us, they do not depend on our conduct or merit.
These constant provisions by the Spirit are important to remember. Some people might tell us that we receive the God’s Spirit, or have a heightened power of the Spirit, after our salvation by receiving a “second filling.” Further some may teach that as Christians we could lose the Spirit. There is no solid scriptural basis for these beliefs. The Bible is clear we have the Spirit at salvation until we are with God forever.
We have a great God with wonderful promises and abundant provisions to help us live our lives in a fruitful manner, not only in service to Him but providing joy and peace in our own lives.
Believer dependent roles
Importantly there are roles for which the Spirit assists believers which are variable and depend upon our obedience. Two passages are critical to understand the Spirit’s help, Romans 8:13-16, 26 and Ephesians 6:10-17.
This session we’re going to discuss two of the three vital roles of the Holy Spirit from Romans 8. Next week we will cover an important activity of the Spirit from Romans 8, the Spirit’s leading. In the next episode we will discuss the second section on the spirits role in our life from Ephesians 6:10-17, the armor of God passage. These are vital topics to understand for a fruitful Christian life.
Romans 8:13-16 – variable roles of the spirit dependent upon our obedience.
- Stops sin (V.13) – As believers and are obedient, the Spirit helps put to death the deeds of the flesh.
- Comforts believers that they are God’s children (V.16) – The Spirit encourages Christians that they belong to God and should not be anxious about eternal security.
What great help God is given us by the Holy Spirit in our Christian life!
Join us next time as we discuss the more important activities of the Spirit in our Christian lives.
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