The Holiness of God the Holy Spirit, part 3

We have looked at the Holy Spirit’s role in Conviction: He is the Spirit of Conviction. Now let’s look at 


 

The Holiness of the Holy Spirit: He Guides Us into All Truth
In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life….” In John chapters 14, 15 & 16 Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of Truth.” In John 14:16-17, Jesus called Him “another Counselor who will be with us forever, 17 He is the Spirit of Truth… you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you” CSB.  The Holiness of the Spirit is in us to guide us in every thought, word, and action, even as every thought, word, and action of God flows out of His Holiness. He desires that our thoughts, words, and actions would be holy, and outflow of His holiness living in us. 
 
 

“When the Counselor comes,” Jesus said, “the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father – He will testify about me” (John15:26). Then in the next verse Jesus says, “You also will testify” CSB. When we experience the Truth, we naturally desire to share the Truth, because the truth sets us free from slavery to sin. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His followers, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” CSB. The Holy Spirit will guide us as we go and He will speak through us as we witness. 
 
 

Then in John 16:13 Jesus tells us that “when the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth” CSB. The Holy Spirit helps us see the truth of God’s Word - and not just see it, but understand it. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work” NLT. This connects to Hebrews 4:12-13 where we are told that it is the Spirit that guides us to the truth of the Scriptures, allowing it to do the work God has given it for. How many times have you been “just” reading the Scriptures when suddenly you feel convicted? That is the Holy Spirit, in His Holiness, doing His work as a guide to truth and convictor of sin, as we continue on the pathway of sanctification, toward holiness.
 
 

Jesus is the Truth, so the Spirit of Truth will guide us deeper into Jesus (John16:13) and through the Scripture, He will teach, correct and rebuke us (2 Tim.3:16-17), leading us deeper into a sanctified life. He will testify about Jesus (John 15:25) and empower us to testify about Jesus (Acts 1:8), He will remind us of everything Jesus said (John 14:26) and in His Holiness, He will live in us (John 14:17) and speak through us.

The truth is, friends, we could spend many weeks unpacking just this section!
 
 

We have looked at the Holy Spirit’s role in conviction and truth: He is the Spirit of Conviction and He is Our Guide into All Truth. Now let’s look at
 
 

The Spirit of Sanctification.

It is the Spirit of Sanctification that purifies, directs and controls the life. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth” CSB. 

Listen to Peter as he writes to believers who have been scattered because of persecution, 1 Peter 1:1-2 “To those chosen, living as exiles dispersed abroad… 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit…” CSB.
 
 

Immediately, when we are saved, the Spirit comes to live in us. He begins to draw and guide us into the truth, reminding us of and teaching the things Jesus taught and did as we move in that direction. He begins to bring conviction to our hearts for things we are doing that we should not be doing any longer, and for things we are not doing that we should be doing.

Continued tomorrow