THE SPIRIT'S INTENTIONAL DESIGN: EMPOWERMENT & FELLOWSHIP

THE SPIRIT’S INTENTIONAL DESIGN: EMPOWERMENT & FELLOWSHIP

Pursuant to Pentecost Sunday (nine days ago on May 19^th), it is of critical importance that believers understand the true intent of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  As the third person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit empowers believers via the divine mandate and the practical means to fulfill the evangelical mission of the church. (Matthew 28:19-20 – Acts 1:8)  In the physical absence of the ascended Christ, His Spirit endows and enables our Christian witness.  While we are thusly engaged, He teaches, reveals and aids our remembrance of all truth.  Additionally, He guides our footsteps and provides ongoing comfort as we traverse a fallen and corrupt world system. (John 14:16,17,26 – John 15:26-27)

Nevertheless, there is an aspect of the earthly work of the Holy Spirit that is sometimes overlooked.  His overarching intention is to cause spiritual sons and daughters to become “fruitful.” (Genesis 1:28 – John 15:8)  It is interesting to note that our fruitfulness is not only tied to our productivity in soul-winning, it is manifested in our relationships with others.  The temporal “fruit” (outlined by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Church of Galatia) are the primary effects of the eternal cause known to us as “The Holy Spirit.”  Prayerfully consider the following passage of scripture:

Galatians 5:22-26

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

The work of the Holy Spirit is evangelical in nature, i.e. His principle concern is to win lost souls via impartations of the Word and the Spirit that are effectively communicated through the lives and witnesses of believers.  To become authentic ambassadors, we must embody consistent and loving relationships that accurately reflect the character of God and the message of His Word.  In the words of Jesus Christ, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)  Therefore, the most powerful, positive and practical proof that our GOD is real is the authenticity of our relationships. Does your life show evidence?  What does your life say?

When believers are baptized in His Spirit, we automatically start producing the fruit of His Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance, which is self-control. (Galatians 5:22)  In other words, the intentional design of the Holy Spirit is to produce empowerment for Kingdom service, supported by a level of fellowship that confirms our witness authenticity.  Sisters and brothers, it is the divine will that both be manifested fully, with clarity and consistency.  According to the lyrics of a familiar chorus, the bottom-line is this: “They will know we are Christians by our love.”