Jesus said to His disciples, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17).
Love for God produces fruits of obedience. The Holy Spirit is promised to those who seek to live in harmony with God’s Word, and the Spirit will comfort and reveal truth. God wishes to save all humanity, but we need to walk in the light revealed and to accept that salvation lies in Jesus Christ.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
These verses show the conditional aspect of salvation, the “if.” The Holy Spirit that empowers for service is granted on the condition of obedience:
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him (Acts 5:32).
Conversion means turning from sin, no longer living the sinful life. In order to be used by God and to be filled by the Spirit, we must first be convicted of our sinfulness and need of salvation and this conviction is also brought about by the workings of the Holy Spirit:
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-8).
We need to be aware of our sinful condition so that we may seek the solution to the sin problem in the only One who can save us from our sins and cover us with His righteousness so that we will not come into final judgment. This is the Gospel in a nutshell.
It is sad and disturbing to note that popular teachings of today seek to remove this obligation and teach another gospel of popular humanism. We need to know what is wrong before we can correct it in His power and come back into an obedient relationship. Christ strengthens us against temptation and gives us power to overcome.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9).
The Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of the Word of God so that we can be effective examples and witnesses for Him.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you (John 14:26).
Thus, as the chart below reminds us, the gifts of the Spirit are given to bring us back to harmony with God and help us spread His Gospel. Read more about the role of the Holy Spirit. Read more about gifts from the apostle Paul.
