Value #4 - The leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
In some conservative Christian circles, there is paranoia about talking too much about the Holy Spirit. The reaction is the same with the third Person of the Trinity as with any other element of abuse. When we see mistreatment of the Doctrine of the Parakletos (Gk), we tend to throw the Spirit out with the bath water. This is not only wrong but very dangerous (Mk 3.29).
First, every converted disciple of Jesus has the indwelling Holy Spirit and should feel compelled to be filled with Him on a continuous basis (Rom 8.9, Acts 13.52, Eph 5.18). We are commanded to be filled and led by this same Spirit (Rom 8.4,14, Eph 5.18, Gal 5.16,18). It is not a luxury or a second blessing. The Holy Spirit is essential to our success in following Jesus (Lk 11.13, Jn 14.26, 15.26). He is the one who was promised and leads us through life.
The Holy Spirit is the one who takes the ordinary efforts of man and turns them into the extraordinary accomplishments of God. He does this by imbuing us with His divine power (Acts 1.8, Rom 15.13, Eph 3.16). The Dunamis (Gk: Power -where we get our word dynamite) of the Holy Spirit is the difference between the fleshly mundane and a work of God.
I’ve personally experienced the leading and the power of the Holy Spirit. Generally, we make the mistake associating these events with some heavy duty emotions. And, although emotion can be part of the experience, it is not necessary. In fact, I think we would short circuit under the type of emotionalism that is usually associated with the Spirit if we indeed were continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. Emotional highs are not the objective. Being powerfully led by Him is the objective.
Actually, Deb and I are experiencing this right now. It seems as though the Holy Spirit is giving monumental direction and working powerfully in prayer, time in the Word, and circumstances. And although our emotions vary, His work and presence is unmistakable. Even when we aren’t on a spiritual high, be sure that the Holy Spirit is powerfully leading us and other obedient saints moment by moment.
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