Living 4 Him

“Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”  Romans 8:5

In Corrie Ten Boom’s devotional book, Each New Day, I read this description of the Holy Spirit by Thomas Lynch. “A glove cannot do anything by itself, but when my hand is in it, it can do many things. True, it is not the glove, but my hand in the glove that acts.  We are gloves. It is the Holy Spirit in us who is the hand, who does the job. We have to make room for the hand so that every finger is filled.”

A hand placed in a glove. A lamp plugged into an outlet.  A car running on fuel.  All of these earthly illustrations show the function of the Holy Spirit. But what is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?  Why is the Holy Spirit working in our lives? 

Remember Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 14:26: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” In the Holy Spirit we have a teacher, guiding us in God’s ways.  However, beyond a teacher we have a companion capable of doing much more than just educating.

When Jesus spoke of the Spirit in this passage, he used a word translated from the Greek, paraclete.  A paraclete was one who stood by someone else in legal authority, knowing everything about the person so thoroughly that the paraclete was able to speak for them.  Other translations of this word mean “advocate, intercessor, helper, consoler, comforter.”  Each of these words lay a foundation of strength in an intimate presence who knows us, stands by us, helps us and comforts us in countless ways.

Jesus further explained in John 16 that the Holy Spirit would help the world know right from wrong (vs. 8), guide the world into truth, giving us wisdom and understanding (vs. 13) and give glory to God (vs.14).  Paul, an apostle chosen and converted after Jesus’ resurrection, wrote about the Holy Spirit in many of his letters to early Christians.  In Romans 8, his message conveys that the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, even praying for us and always working for our good.  (vs. 26-28).  The Holy Spirit is forever linking us to Heaven, leading us to what God desires in our lives.

Last week, our family held a funeral for my 102-year-old uncle.  His time on earth had been full of activity and joy, right up until the end.  In her prayer, the pastor spoke these words:  “He lived his life honoring the One who created him.” Hearing these words, I understood anew the purpose of the Spirit: to help us honor God who created us. 

The tasks, the talents, the world around us, the Spirit within us, all weave a story that honors our Creator in glory.  The Holy Spirit is our piece of Heaven, reaching out to us with help and guidance, love and encouragement, wisdom and provision. 

I have a prayer I love to pray based on Psalm 138:8 which talks about the specific purposes that God as our creator is working in our lives.  My prayer goes: I am the work of your hands, O God.  Fulfill your purpose in me. May God in his wisdom remove anything from our lives that gets in the way of his true purposes for us. 

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in our souls):  Romans 8 is a long, but valuable chapter in helping us understand the spirit and the gifts given to us.  Spend time slowly reading through the 40 verses this week or this month and savor the Spirit.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Live your life each day honoring the One who created you!