Christian Basics No 5: What does the Holy Spirit do? (Paul Hardingham continues this year-long series on the very foundations of our Christian faith.) (Material taken from Parish Pump, web site for Church Magazines) As we celebrate Pentecost this month, it’s appropriate to ask the question: what does the Holy Spirit do in our lives? Everybody who has committed their life to Christ possesses the Holy Spirit, ‘if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.’ (Romans 8:9). It is the Spirit who brings us new birth into the family of God. The Spirit assures us of God’s love and acceptance, despite our fears, doubts or failures. As adopted children we can address God as our father: “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Galatians 4: 6). By using the same word used by Jesus, we can grow in intimacy with our Father and pray to Him, especially when we struggle to find the right words. The Holy Spirit is committed to producing a family likeness in those who follow Christ. This Jesus likeness enables us to live as Jesus would in our place, ie: work, family, time, interests etc. Paul describes this as the fruit of the Spirit: ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol.’(Galatians 5:22,23). He talks about fruit not fruits! We can’t pick and choose, as they come as a total package to be developed over a lifetime! The Spirit is committed to producing new desires for God: reading the Bible and praying, forgiving others, meeting with other Christians and sharing our faith. He will also give us the motivation to overcome wrong habits, attitudes or lifestyle in our lives. ‘Let the church return to Pentecost, and Pentecost will return to her. The Spirit of God cannot take possession of believers beyond their capacity of receiving Him’ (Andrew Murray). Sunday 5th June 19
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