2. Connect with the Spirit[OO1]
By the descent and union of the Holy Spirit with believers, the purpose of God to dwell with man is being fulfilled. Through the Holy Spirit, the Godhead unites with man (Jn 14:20) in an eternal relationship (vs17).
Let us explore the process by which God fulfills this purpose.
a. Repent and be baptized Mt 3:13, 15
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”” Acts 2:38. Mk 1:15 Jesus declared the means to being included in the covenant of grace. ‘By repentance we must lament and forsake our sins, and by faith we must receive the forgiveness of them’ -MH. The Spirit can come once this happens, even before water baptism (Acts 10:47) but not before repentance and faith.
b. Love the Lord Jn 5:19-20
Jn 14:21“…And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” also (vs 23)
Here we see that love is the condition for experiencing the Holy Spirit. What does it mean to love the Lord? Love is a decision we make, it may be accompanied by feelings, but emotion is not the basis of love. In any given situation, we can choose to love, regardless of how we feel. Jn 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends”, is how love works. To love God is the influence of the Spirit (Rom 5:5) upon our souls that makes us to prefer (choose) Him above all else that is of value to us.
c. Do the will of God Jn 5:30; 8:27,29, 42
From the passage above and vs 23, obedience is the expression of love. And obedience reflects that there is a will. To obey or do the will of God, you must know, by the Spirit, the inclinations or ways, character, and Word of God (well understood and correctly interpreted) and be enabled by the Spirit’s power. Jn 7:17; Rom 12:1-2; Phil 4:8
The effect of loving God most times is in peace and joy, apart from other blessings that may accompany it.
d. Discussion
– In what practical situation do you sense the presence of the Holy Spirit the most in your life? What disciplines help you to connect with him?
– Which of these pleases God more, to manifest the Spirit’s gifts or to do His will? Share your insight
[OO1]The objective of the study is to understand the state a believer must be for a continuous presence and manifestation of the Spirit.