We are the one's who benefit from the Holy Spirit taking residence in the dwelling of our life -- in at least seven different ways.
1) Born of the Spirit.
When Jesus explained to the Pharisee, Nicodemus, what it meant to be "born again" (John 3:3), He referred to the new birth as being "born of the Spirit" (verse 6; also Galatians 4:29). Before believing in Christ, we were "dead in [our] trespasses" (Colossians 2:13); but we have been given new life (been reborn) by the Holy Spirit taking up residence in us.
2) Indwelt by the Spirit.
Six times, in five different verses, the New Testament says the Spirit of God "dwells in you" (Romans 8:9, 11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:14; James 4:5). Could anything be more clear? If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit dwells in you. At this very moment, the Spirit of God is helping you understand and apply what you are reading -- a permanent, live-in Counselor (or "Helper"; John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7).
3) Baptized by the Spirit.
The Greek word Baptizo means "to dip, put into, submerge." and every Christian has "by one Spirit...[been] baptized into one body" --the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). That means you are a hand, eye, foot, mouth, or some other part of Christ's Body (to use Paul's anatomical metaphor; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27). Everything you do affects every other member of the Body; no more "Lone Ranger" Christianity --we are part of each other.
4) Filled by the Spirit.
There are eleven references in the New Testament to people being "filled with the Holy Spirit" -- from John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) to Jesus (Luke 4:1) to the apostles (Acts 2:4; 4:8) to the Church (Acts 4:31) and others in between. And in every case, the reference accompanies some dynamic act, event, or word of power or consequence. Those filled with the Spirit prior to Pentecost were filled for a purpose; those filled since Pentecost are filled permanently so that our lives may be continually characterized by the power of Christ. Our responsibility is to remain filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) by not grieving (Ephesians 4:30) or quenching (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Spirit.
5) Illumination of the Spirit.
Paul says that in Christ, "the eyes of [our] understanding [have been] enlightened" (Ephesians 1:18). Things that seemed foolish to us before now make perfect spiritual sense. The Holy Spirit makes God's truth clear to speakers (1 Corinthians 2:13) and hearers (1 Corinthians 2:14): "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." If you have Christ, you have the Spirit -- and the ability to discern spiritual truth.
6) Walk in the Spirit.
Paul set up a logical progression for the Galatians: "If we live in the Spirit, [then] let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). What good is it to say, "I have the Spirit, "if we are not manifesting the Spirit (the life of Christ) in our life? That is Paul's point -- walking in the Spirit is an ongoing life of obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord after trusting Him as Savior and receiving the Spirit of Christ who lives within.
7) Fruit of the Spirit.
The evidence that we belong to Christ is the transformation wrought by the Spirit in the form of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control -- the fruit of the Spirit (John 13:35; Galatians 5:22-23). We have the privilege of being "ambassadors for Christ" on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20), revealing His character by means of the fruit of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit wants to be the sole, permanent resident in the dwelling of your life. The question is, Have you given Him access? Are you enjoying all the benefits of having Him in your life?
To make sure, why not bow and confess anything in your life that is occupying any of the rooms of your heart and invite the Spirit to fill you completely -- and begin living the Spirit-powered life God saved you to enjoy.
Your Benefits Package by Dr David Jeremiah
4) Filled by the Spirit.
There are eleven references in the New Testament to people being "filled with the Holy Spirit" -- from John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) to Jesus (Luke 4:1) to the apostles (Acts 2:4; 4:8) to the Church (Acts 4:31) and others in between. And in every case, the reference accompanies some dynamic act, event, or word of power or consequence. Those filled with the Spirit prior to Pentecost were filled for a purpose; those filled since Pentecost are filled permanently so that our lives may be continually characterized by the power of Christ. Our responsibility is to remain filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) by not grieving (Ephesians 4:30) or quenching (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Spirit.
5) Illumination of the Spirit.
Paul says that in Christ, "the eyes of [our] understanding [have been] enlightened" (Ephesians 1:18). Things that seemed foolish to us before now make perfect spiritual sense. The Holy Spirit makes God's truth clear to speakers (1 Corinthians 2:13) and hearers (1 Corinthians 2:14): "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." If you have Christ, you have the Spirit -- and the ability to discern spiritual truth.
6) Walk in the Spirit.
Paul set up a logical progression for the Galatians: "If we live in the Spirit, [then] let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). What good is it to say, "I have the Spirit, "if we are not manifesting the Spirit (the life of Christ) in our life? That is Paul's point -- walking in the Spirit is an ongoing life of obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord after trusting Him as Savior and receiving the Spirit of Christ who lives within.
7) Fruit of the Spirit.
The evidence that we belong to Christ is the transformation wrought by the Spirit in the form of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control -- the fruit of the Spirit (John 13:35; Galatians 5:22-23). We have the privilege of being "ambassadors for Christ" on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20), revealing His character by means of the fruit of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit wants to be the sole, permanent resident in the dwelling of your life. The question is, Have you given Him access? Are you enjoying all the benefits of having Him in your life?
To make sure, why not bow and confess anything in your life that is occupying any of the rooms of your heart and invite the Spirit to fill you completely -- and begin living the Spirit-powered life God saved you to enjoy.
Your Benefits Package by Dr David Jeremiah
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