What make the Holy Spirit difficult to share?

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Permalink Reply by Lina on June 27, 2012 at 9:58pm

I personally try to avoid discussions on the Holy Spirit because I lack the knowledge and understanding of the way He works. Earlier on, when I thought of the Holy Spirit, I envisage some dramatic actions; but over the past few years, I've realised that, the Holy Spirit is very gentle.  I have not experienced it the way I had always been expecting it, but from Carla's discussion, I know He dwells within me.  I react differently to situations; I am calm when everyone expects me to flare up.  I see things in a more matured way.

I know now that when the Holy Spirit takes a dwelling within a person, the change is more spiritual rather than physical. It strengthens a person emotionally and spiritually it affects the way one behaves.   I know because this what I think He has done with me.  In my line of work, I find myself linking what ever I say to the Word and I think this is through no effort of mine but the work of the Holy Spirit.

This is all I can say about the Holy Spirit but I wish I could learn more about Him. 

Be blessed!

 

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Permalink Reply by Colby on June 28, 2012 at 10:05am

A good many Christians aren't comfortable talking about the Holy Spirit.  Some describe themselves as "Spirit-filled."  They get that he's the third person of the trinity; co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son.  They can talk comfortably and at length about how the God the Father is the creator of all things and how Jesus, the Son,  is our mediator with the Father; our lord, savior and redeemer.

 

But who is the Holy Spirit?  What is his role?

 

To better understand the Holy Spirit, we need to consult the Scripture.  A clear picture emerges.  The Holy Spirit is not a minor player, relegated to a secondary or mere supporting role.  He has a primary role in the Godhead.

 

Speaking to his disciples, Jesus summed up the Holy Spirit's primary role thusly: "He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you" (John 16:14). 

 

So what does that mean exactly? 

 

As we read in the Bible, we learn this about the Holy Spirit:

• he inspired the authors of Scripture;
• he draws people to Christ;
• he opens our hearts to the enduring gift of God's grace;
• he abides in us so that we can face life with courage and hope; and
• he sanctifies us, strengthening our faith, and conforming us to the image of Christ.

 

The Holy Spirit, like a wind that sweeps through our lives, is the presence of God in our midst.  The Farewell Discourse from John contains many rich complexities, but nothing so profoundly simple as the promise that by action of the Holy Spirit, God will remain with us, will abide in us. And that we are invited to reciprocate and abide with him.

 

But the Holy Spirit is not an attention-seeker.  He does not seek his own glory, and neither the Father nor the Son glorify him.

 

Grace, peace and blessings.

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Permalink Reply by Carla on June 28, 2012 at 10:12am

Colby,  good word.

I would only add to this that the Holy Spirit seeks to Glorify Jesus. (John 16:14)

so therefore, as we test everything, we can know if something is not of God---if the Holy Spirit is being glorified over the Son or the Father.

 

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by Colby on June 28, 2012 at 10:21am

Well said. Thank you for adding that.

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Permalink Reply by Carla on June 28, 2012 at 10:32am

:-)  team work

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Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on June 28, 2012 at 10:51am

Only to add to what you have shared.  1John 5:6 This Son of God is Jesus Christ, who came by water and blood. He didn't come with water only, but with water and with blood. The Spirit is the one who verifies this, because the Spirit is the truth.  John 15:26 "The helper whom I will send to you from the Father will come. This helper, the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, will declare the truth about me.                                                                                                  Team work in every sense of the word.  Once we live and operate in the Spirit, sharing the Spirit becomes apart of who we are.  Never for our own glory, only to Give Glory to Our Lord.

 

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Permalink Reply by Lina on June 28, 2012 at 9:35pm

All well said, good team.  So we experience the presence of the Holy Spirit through His manifestation in our actions, our relationship and our love for each other, if my understanding is correct.  All the good we do on this faith journey of ours is the work of the Holy Spirit.  We rely on Him for strength in whatever we do.  In my mind, when I think of  God, I see the Son and the Holy Spirit as equal with the Father.  Correct me on this if I am wrong.  When I say God, to me all are inclusive (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).  Please clarify me on this, brothers and sisters.

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Permalink Reply by Colby on June 28, 2012 at 10:32pm

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:12

Yes, the Holy Spirit is God, just as the Father and Jesus are God.

The Holy Spirit is God; he is the third Person of the Trinity.  In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons of one substance, co-equal and co-eternal.  ONE God manifested in three persons: The Father , the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Each is a distinct personality, yet each is God.  Does that sound confusing or incomprehensible?

 

The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is extremely difficult for even the most learned theologian to begin to comprehend, for it surpasses our limited capacity as human beings to understand God.  A God that is all- powerful, all-knowing, without beginning or end, and omnipresent.  However, we believe in the triune Godhead because the doctrine can be apprehended from Scripture.  The Bible is clear that there is only ONE God.  Even so, Scripture ascribes to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each attributes that belong to God only. 

 

We think of God the Father as the creator of all things; of God the Son, Jesus Christ, as our lord and savior and mediator with the Father; of God the Holy Spirit as the author of Scripture and the one that draws us to Christ, saves us, sanctifies and teaches us.  All three are God--one God--yet three distinct persons in the Godhead.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Carla on June 29, 2012 at 5:05am

Amen.

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