Who or What

You’re sitting in the doctor’s office waiting for his report. The phone call raised concern. “We can’t give you any more information. You will need to see the doctor.”

Your misgivings become truth as the doctor relates what is going on inside your body. A tumor is growing and needs to come out. You take a deep breath and prepare for the storm.

It’s amazing to me something foreign such as a tumor or cancer grows in our bodies without our knowledge of its presence. But have you considered, as a follower of Christ, the wonder of the Holy Spirit dwelling within your spirit? He isn’t a what but a who, and he isn’t growing but is there in his fulness. And we know he is there for he is our witness of the new life we have in Christ.

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,

that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16

He is the Spirit of Christ by which our heavenly Father gifts us with his blessings.

“And because ye are sons,

God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,

crying, Abba, Father…

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”

Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:9b

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

The Holy Spirit dwelling in those born of the Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. John spoke of him in Revelation.

“John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come;

and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;” (1:4)

Isaiah 11:2 speaks of him, explaining who he is, his character, and what he brings to Christ’s followers. He is the fullness and perfection of God who dwelt in Jesus –

“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him…

“And John bare record, saying,

I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,

and it abode upon him…

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God:

for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”

John 1:32; 3:34,35

and dwells in those who are his –

“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace…

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death…

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit…

And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

John 1:16; Romans 8:2,4,10

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7

As we have seen his measure is our fulness.

The Holy Spirit is –

• The Spirit of the Lord that filled Christ as he walked on this earth.
• The same Spirit indwelling every born again child of God.
• The Spirit we have received in full, not in part but the whole.
• The Spirit who has given us all spiritual blessings of the Father through his indwelling presence.
• The Spirit by whom we have received Christ’s grace, life, and righteousness.

As the Holy Spirit is in us, so are we in this world. Through him we reflect Christ’s glory.

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In my next post I hope to delve into the other six descriptions of the Holy Spirit of God who is the Spirit of our Lord. Until then, we may not know what may strike our bodies, but we can know the sweet fellowship we have with our heavenly Father through the fulness of his Spirit in us.

When are you most aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life? How do others see him in you?

For another thought on this subject check out Heather Greer’s YouTube post :Reflecting Faith at youtube.com

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