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The Holy Spirit Devotional # 6 – The Holy Spirit: The Giver of Grace

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John 3:3-8 – Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”  4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Our Comforter

The Holy Spirit is called the Parakletos in Scripture. This has been translated as Comforter in the King James Version, Helper in the New King James Version, and Counselor in the Revised Standard Version and the New International Version. The word parakletos is associated with the courts of law and signifies one who is the defense counsel, one who pleads on behalf of another. In a broader sense, it identifies one who stands by a person’s side or ready to aid a soldier in battle.

The Holy Spirit’s Role in our being Born Again

The Holy Spirit is the chief agent in regeneration to bring a person to salvation. Regeneration is the supernatural work of the Spirit, where the divine nature and divine life are given (John 3:3-8; Titus 3:5). It is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24), when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation.

The Holy Spirit’s Role in our Sanctification

Our growth in Christlikeness is progressive. It is sanctification. Sanctification is an ongoing process (Philippians 1:6). It is dependent on God’s continuing work in the life of the believer. A person cannot make themselves holy in and of themselves. It is a work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Scripture says a believer cannot accomplish good works of salvation or sanctification without Christ (John 15:1-5). Regeneration is a birth and a momentary act. Sanctification is growth over a lifetime.

The Holy Spirit empowers and enables the believer to fulfill their newly granted desires to become like Christ (Philippians 2:12-13). Paul, in 2 Corinthians 3:18, reminds us that when a person of God comes to the Word of God and sees the Son of God, he is changed progressively into the image of God by the Spirit of God for the glory of God.

The Holy Spirit’s Role in our Security

He gives us eternal security and assurance (2 Timothy 2:19) of our salvation. He is the seal of our inheritance in God. The Spirit enables our conversion and then consistently confirms the reality of it. He works not only to bring about our salvation; He also conforms us to the image of Christ.

The Holy Spirit begins the lifelong process of transformation of our beliefs, thinking, character, and values. He unveils our selfishness, pride, and our lack of love. He empowers us, enlightens us, and encourages us to change with His help. He is our Great Comforter. No matter what we may be facing, no matter the difficulties or heartaches, He is always available to bring peace, to soothe, to console, and to reassure us.

He is the Potter’s hand, and we are the clay being molded and shaped into the image of what we were meant to be. He is the great communicator and interpreter of the will of God. He gives us certainty in times of confusion and uncertainty. The Holy Spirit is the author of sanctification in our lives. His assignment is to mold us and shape us into the holy people of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus and to enable us to grow to be like Him.

What better Counselor could a person sit under? We need daily sessions with the Holy Spirit. He wants to teach us, guide us, empower us, enlighten us, comfort us, and conform us. He wants to fill us with His grace and power.

POINT TO PONDER: He empowers us, enlightens us, and encourages us to change with His help. He is our Great Comforter. What better Counselor could a person sit under?

Prayer

Father, thank you for your grace. The word grace reminds us that we could never merit it, and we do not deserve it. Thank you for the common grace that your Holy Spirit has displayed to all of humanity. Even when they do not see it, Father, thank you for the blessing that you have given to our world. Father, I thank you mostly for the grace that you have granted to those who trust in Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your sustaining grace that continues to empower us throughout life as believers in Christ. Please remind me day after day that I live by Your grace and for Your glory. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

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