THE HOLY SPIRIT'S EVANGELICAL DESIGN: RIGHTEOUSNESS & RELATIONSHIPS

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S EVANGELICAL DESIGN:

RIGHTEOUSNESS & RELATIONSHIPS

It is of critical importance that all believers seek to 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 practical means of fulfilling the evangelical mission of the church. (Matthew 28:19-20 – Acts 1:8) In the physical absence of the ascended Christ, His Spirit endows, empowers and enables effective Christian witness.  While we are thusly engaged, He teaches us, revealing and refreshing our remembrance of divine truth.  Additionally, He guides our footsteps and provides ongoing comfort while we navigate (by faith) through 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 oftentimes overlooked.  His overarching intention is to cause every spiritual son and daughter 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 tangibly 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 effect 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 His Word and Spirit, effectively communicated through the lives and witnesses of committed believers.  Nevertheless, in order to become become such 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 you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.” (John 13:35) Therefore, the most powerful, positive and practical proof that our GOD is real is evidenced in the authenticity of our relationships.  Does your life reflect this evidence?  Your life, that is your attitude and actions are speaking.  What does your life say? (II Corinthians 3:2-3)

When believers are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we automatically start producing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (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 righteousness and relationships that confirm our witness authenticity.  It is the divine will that both be manifested genuinely, both 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.”

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!