Encountering spirit divine

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; … and He will tell you things to come (John 16:13, NKJV).

THE term “Christian Life” is used ideally to describe the lifestyle of an individual who has made peace with God by reconciling with Him through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

In other words, the term is more of a description of the lifestyle expected of someone who has repented of his/her sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Saviour.

However, it is worth noting that there cannot be a “Christian Life” without an encounter with the Holy Spirit; because the Holy Spirit is the Seal of authenticity of “Christian Life” (see Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit Divine. He is our Helper (Comforter). While preparing the disciples for the reality of His betrayal, death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus Christ assured them that He would not leave them comfortless.

He promised to send the Holy Spirit to be with them for the purpose of enabling them to live the kind of life expected of them.

This truth is also applicable to all contemporary believers in Christ Jesus. As we confess Jesus Christ as our Lord, it is extremely required that we encounter the Spirit Divine. This is made very clear in the Scriptures.

Jesus Christ said, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). In other words, until one encounters the Holy Spirit, he/she will remain in the flesh. Our Lord further stated that “it is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing” (John 6:63).

In Ephesians 5:18, believers in Christ Jesus are encouraged to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, believers in Christ Jesus are exhorted never to quench the Spirit.

All of these fully underscore the importance of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers in Christ Jesus. Christians are like the wick of an oil lamp, which can only function effectively when there is regular supply of oil.

The presence of the Holy Spirit guarantees the regular supply of oil to Christians. From John 16:5-13, we see three major ways (workings) through which the Holy Spirit supplies oil to the lamp of Christians for them to keep shinning for the Lord.

• The Holy Spirit Grants us DIVINE HELP – John 16:7 (see John 14:16; 15:26). We need help on all sides of our lives for us to live faithfully the “Christian Life”.

We need help of restoration, revival, refreshing, and renewal. We can only get all these and many other helps from God through the Holy Spirit Who is our Helper (Comforter).

• The Holy Spirit Grants us DIVINE GUIDANCE – John 16:12-13 (see Psalm 32:8). In life generally, we travel unfamiliar terrains on daily basis. We surely need guidance if we truly desire to arrive at our glorious destination. Only those who experience Divine Guidance through the Holy Spirit can safely arrive at their desired destination.

• The Holy Spirit Grants us DIVINE REVELATION – John 16:7 (see 2 Corinthians 3:6). The importance of revelation cannot be overemphasised.

Through revelation, we possess knowledge; and through knowledge, we possess power to confront challenges of life. Without revelation, people perish. Only the Holy Spirit knows and is able to reveal the mind of the Father thereby giving us life.

Therefore, for us to fully live “Christian Life” we must encounter the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit Divine. He is our Helper (Comforter). He is our Faithful Guide. He reveals the mind of God, the Father to all His children.

Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? You can have that encounter today as you accept Jesus Christ. Remember, that is which is born of the flesh is flesh and the flesh profits nothing. But, the Spirit gives life.
Revd. Olusola Idowu, PhD
Church Pastor, The Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial Baptist Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos
Living is Christ (Phil. 1:21) +234 708 703 8441