“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, 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.” John 14:26
How does the truth of God, revealed in the Gospel of Christ, become real to us? How does the disciple learn intellectually the great truths of Scripture, as they pertain to God and salvation, and then come to know the power of them in the life, especially in a life of prayer? The answer lies in God Himself, as the Spirit of God moves and works to finish the work He has begun in every believer’s heart. He creates thirst that we might seek Christ. He convicts of sin that we might be delivered from it. He creates the sense of need with regard to direction in the life, so that we might find the Shepherd, and hear His voice saying, “this is the way, walk ye in it.” But where does one begin in considering the ministry of the Spirit, to bring the soul to life and power according to the truth, seeing the glory of God, and rejoicing in that which Christ is doing?
In God’s dealings with men, both lost and those who are saved, He begins with seeking to bring them individually to a knowledge of the truth concerning Himself, and His ways. There is no blessing of God upon the lie, nor the distorted views and opinions of sinful men. When John the Baptist, as well as the prophets of old, came with their messages, they came proclaiming the truth. That truth had its origin in God, and was the means and basis for His promised blessing. But truth, known and grasped by the mind of sinful man, can be easily distorted, and twisted, to the point where God will not bless it, for it has ceased to be truth. This is one reason why the Apostle Paul was so vehemently opposed to those who preached another gospel (Gal. 1:9), or another Christ. So then, how does one first understand the truth revealed to the heart? It is by the ministry of the Spirit of God as our teacher. But one cannot be taught if one is not willing to learn. Old and false concepts of the Gospel and Christ must be discarded, if one is to embrace the truth, the meaning and power of which is revealed to mind and soul. In other words, one must by faith take the Holy Spirit as one’s teacher, being willing to truly follow Christ, certain that the promised Spirit WILL teach, and will lead. He has been given to every believer that he should know God, the things freely given by God, and be enabled by the power of the Spirit to not only go forward, but to do so in full assurance of faith.
There are two great aspects to the ministry of the Spirit that we must grasp if we are to go forward, ever onward, and upward, responding to the call of God. The first is the matter of REVELATION. Paul tells us that God revealed His Son in him. Jesus spoke of the fact that, “…no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will REVEAL Him.” (Matt. 11:27) Revelation, by the Spirit of truth, and the person of Christ, is essential to faith.
The second aspect of faith, practicing the truth, and going forward, following Christ, is that of power, or strength. It must first be understood that all authority has been given to Christ, and He has communicated that authority to His body, the church, and every member of it. The “right” to all that is in Christ is given to obtain and live by. Then there is the power that He gives, and this freely, and in the measure of the need.
For both the matter of revelation and power, the Spirit of God is essential. He works in response to prayer.
Dear Father, Fill us with Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.