The Holy Spirit (Part 1)
Have we forgotten about the third person of the Godhead? Seems like it sometimes.
Why?
Because we can’t explain Him easily.
Jesus? He is God’s son. ‘God in a bod.’ Not a simple paradigm but understandable. God? He’s the Father. Imagine the perfect father and you’re there. Any detailed questions go into the categories of almighty, omniscient, omnipresent, timeless, and eternal. Not simple either but at least He fits in a category.
But the Holy Spirit is unique and mysterious. There’s not a category. We don’t hear many sermons about Him. We act like He doesn’t exist because we don’t understand Him and few preachers will stick their necks out to try and educate us. If you read these posts on a regular basis, you know I’m not a theologian. My passion is to inspire people to live their faith, not just learn it. We can’t live in intimate relationship with our Triune God while we act like one of His three personas doesn’t exist.
I’m going to use a real world ‘thing’ to explain how I’ve experienced the Holy Spirit.
Almost everyone has a smartphone, right? When someone tries to call or text you, a signal goes out from the cellular network. It ‘pings’ your smartphone connecting through its SIM card. It’s asking (electronically) “Is your phone on, off, or in airplane mode?” “Where are you?” “Are you listening?”
Once you’ve been ‘pinged’ and found to be available, the network sends the call or text to your phone. You can take the call or read the text or ignore them. You have free will. You’re never forced to respond.
You and I are like smartphones. We’re made us in God’s image, equipped with a human spirit that’s specifically and uniquely designed by the Creator . . . one of a kind . . . fearfully and wonderfully made, each one different. When we place our faith in Jesus, and God adopts us into His family, the SIM card that came built into our souls gets activated. Now we’re on His network. The Holy Spirit is like the cellular network. When God wants to communicate with us, He sends a signal to us through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, it’s the idea of praying. Sometimes, it’s the urge that moves us to call someone, write a check, read the Bible, go back home, ask forgiveness, or take a risk to accomplish something important.
As is always the case with God, He doesn’t require us to answer the call. He never leaves a voice message. He doesn’t usually resend text messages. He simply invites us to connect with Him and to know His will, but we have to be paying attention. Taking the call and moving in response builds our faith and blesses us and others. Ignoring the Holy Spirit’s call deadens our sensitivity, and over time, we no longer hear the ring or feel the vibration.
Scripture: In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)
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Responses (6)
Wow. This is great. I would love to print and give this to every member of my small church.
This is one the best explanations I have ever read. God Bless you.
Reggie
Great Words of information and inspiration. You tackled a complex thought with simplicity. Thanks
My Brother, I absolutely love your post. It really resonated with me. As a 66 year old pastor, i often struggle to find ways to preach gospel truths in ways that In our technology driven culture particularly with the 30 and under crowd. This will preach! Thank you for letting the Holy Spirit guide you in your messages.
[…] On Monday, I explained how I’ve experienced the Holy Spirit. I used the analogy of the cellular network and how becoming a Christian activates the SIM card in our spirits, enabling God the Father to speak and listen to His children through the cellular network of the Holy Spirit. […]
I think the key to better understanding is complete surrendering to Jesus and desiring a stronger relationship with Jesus
This information is so good and is needed. Thank you for writing about the Holy Spirit. If we listen to the Holy Spirit, It will lead and guide us into all truths.