In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church. {DA 671.2}
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
16:13 It will be when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show [it] unto you.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The Holy Spirit's work is to regenerate our hearts.
In our studies in the "covenant thread" we discussed the promise the Israelites made to God -- "Everything the Lord has commanded we will do."
The Lord replies: "I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always." (Duet. 5:28-29)
The heart!
What can change the heart.
Paul tells us -- "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:7-8)
In several other places he writes that we were DEAD in trespasses and sins.
So it is plain that mankind left to himself/herself is powerless to live a holy life pleasing to God. The work of the Holy Spirit is to regenerate the heart! This regeneration begins before conversion. The Holy Spirit "convicts [people] of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" John 16:8
It is the Holy Spirit that stirs life into the "heart" and leads the person to see his own sinfulness, he becomes aware of Gods' law and realizes that he is under condemnation and deserving death. He starts to realize his NEED FOR A SAVIOR.
This work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus describes is not something we see, it is like the wind. It comes and suddenly something we hear, or see or think makes a deep spiritual impression upon our minds. Our spiritual senses become quickened. The Holy Spirit is working upon our hearts and minds.
If we are led by the Spirit, He leads us to repentance, conversion, and a transformed life. But we must be willing.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, .... 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel....
If we are willing to be led by the Holy Spirit, He leads us to repentance, conversion, and a walk of humble obedience with Christ. The Holy Spirit awakens in us a thirst and hunger for God's Word; to know more about God, His truth, and His plans for us. The Holy Spirit writes God's law upon our hearts and minds, and God's way of righteousness becomes part of our character.
But if we refuse and rebel we gradually grieve away the Holy Spirit. and are finally left in the darkness of sin and death.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
It is the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives by which Christ dwells with us. Here we have our assurance and hope of eternal life.
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Paul clearly points out the great importance of following the Holy Spirit in our lives, and then makes a solomn plea: "Do not grieve the holy Spirit of God" (Eph. 4:30)
How does one grieve the Holy Spirit? Basically we grieve the Holy Spirit when we refuse to follow Him in putting to death the sinful old nature and insist on living in our sins in defiance to God's laws.
The admonition not to grieve the Holy Spirit is followed with the words "put off all" bitterness, wrath, anger, fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, etc. for those who continue in these things will not enter the kingdom of Christ. We are to "put on" kindness and compassion and develop the fruits of the Spirit.
A person who follows the Holy Spirit has "the righteousness of the law fulfilled in him/her. (Romans 8:4)
The "love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself" will be developed within the person through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Some say the sealing has nothing to do with the Sabbath? Yet the Sabbath is our expression of love to God, acknowledging Him as our God; as the One Who sanctifies us (Ez. 20:12). The Sabbath does not DO the sealing -- the Holy Spirit does, but our changed lives and our willing obedience to ALL of God's commandments, are a sign that Holy Spirit is truly leading in our lives.
