Putting Your Trust in the Spirit
Jesus warned his disciples that his death and departure were near just hours before he was crucified. He promised them, however, that he would not abandon them as he got ready to go. In John 14:16 ESV, Jesus said that God will send "another Helper" like him "to be with you forever." The certainty of the intimate and enduring character of the Spirit's presence "He remains with you and will be in you" (John 14:17, emphasis added)—reinforced the consolation of his everlasting friendship. Jesus told his disciples that it was advantageous for him to leave and send the Spirit because of the Spirit's indwelling nature, as well as his divine power and all-pervading presence (John 16:7).
Jesus kept his word and sent the Holy Spirit to live among and in his people when he ascended into heaven. Therefore, when we put our trust in Christ, he guarantees that he will live in us personally in addition to us living with him forever. Consequently, the Spirit is our lifelong companion and service partner. Additionally, his enduring presence gives us some crucial truths that boost our confidence and faith.
First, we may be sure that the Spirit is with us while we follow our calling. God has promised us that we are not alone during our lives and ministry.
Our dependable traveling companion, the Spirit, informs us of his heavenly presence. We can be strong and brave because we have the Spirit as our divine guide who travels before, beside, and behind us, just as God encouraged Joshua to prepare for his inheritance of the promised land (Deut. 31:8).
Ministry can be lonely and frightening, thus his presence is crucial. Few people are aware of the emotional and physical burdens clergy bear. We frequently feel alone or misinterpreted. As we attempt to strike a balance between leadership and proper levels of transparency, we may find it difficult to build deep relationships, particularly with people we serve. This can lead to loneliness. It might be especially tough during trying times since we may feel abandoned or singled out by people's annoyance.
However, the Spirit is with us. He will assist us and strengthen us (Isa. 41:10).
We are confident that the Spirit not only walks with us but also keeps watch over us. We may count on the Spirit to provide for and protect us in addition to his divine presence. When we accept God's call to ministry, we put our faith in him to meet our material, emotional, and spiritual needs, which makes his supply essential. "My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus," the apostle Paul assures us, having learned to be content and to trust in the Lord to meet all of our wants (Phil. 4:19).
Additionally, Jesus reminds us that his grace is adequate for all of our needs through the Spirit (Eph. 3:16; 2 Cor. 12:9–10).
Additionally, the Spirit provides us with defense against both our spiritual and material adversaries. As stewards of the gospel and our gifts, we are called by the Holy Spirit to protect the wealth given to us (2 Timothy 1:14). However, because we may declare, like Paul, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day," we have security in our ministries, which is not due to our power or knowledge (2 Tim. 1:12, emphasis added).
The strength of God's Spirit is necessary to defend ourselves in our spiritual conflicts with the enemy, the culture, and the flesh.
The Bible also says that the Spirit works through us as he travels with us and guards us. We all experience anxieties and feelings of inadequacy on some degree, particularly when we realize the importance of our calling. Even while we are aware that Christ's atoning work validates our inherent worth and makes us eligible for God's use, our limitations may lead us to doubt our usefulness. However, as was evident in the church chapter before this one, the Spirit gives us spiritual abilities that enable us to carry out God's plan for our lives.
Beyond what we could ever do on our own, the Spirit works through us to accomplish God's job.
Even though we frequently forget this point when we mention it, Paul's well-known prayer for the Ephesians emphasizes it: "Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us" (Eph. 3:20, emphasis added). Paul previously referred to "his Spirit" as the source of his power and strength within us in his prayer (Eph. 3:16). Now, he highlights the incredible fact that his Spirit will operate through us to perform the supernatural work that surpasses our wildest expectations. What a wonderful honor!
But in the end, the joy and thankfulness that fill our hearts don't honor us. It brims with unceasing adoration for the One who kindly acts in and through us (Eph. 3:21).
Allowing us to share the gospel and take part in God's redemptive mission is arguably the greatest work he accomplishes through us. Additionally, the role of the Spirit is crucial to our evangelization endeavors. As we spread the gospel and carry out his worldwide mission, Jesus actually said before his ascension that the Spirit would enable us to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8).
The Spirit is the only one who can lift the curtain and shine the light of the gospel that brings people to trust in Christ through the darkness of the human heart, in addition to giving us the confidence and bravery to proclaim the good news (2 Cor. 3:16–17; 4:2–6). The strength of the gospel and the Spirit's promise to operate through us are the only things that give us the confidence to spread the good news, not our capacity for persuasion!
We can live and serve with assurance because the Spirit is with us, keeping watch over us, and working through us.
Each of these truths will be crucial as we learn to rely on him as we face life's problems, especially those in ministry.