The salvation that Christians experience is not only by the grace of God but it is by the grace of the Triune God! Each member of the Trinity is involved in the salvation of sinners. Salvation is not by works or human effort but by the divine work of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
God the Father elected people “in” Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He gave those elect ones to Jesus to redeem (John 6:37). God the Son came to earth in the incarnation to live a sinless life and die in the place of the elect. He took the wrath of God on Himself so the elect would not have to face God’s judgment. God the Holy Spirit is the third Person in the Trinity. He applies the finished work of Christ to sinners to bring about salvation.
The Holy Spirit’s Person and work are often misunderstood by Christians. He is not a power or a force. The Holy Spirit is a Person who is God! (Acts 5:3, 4). His work is as critical to our salvation as the Father’s and the Son’s. If God elected us to salvation and Jesus died for us, but the Spirit did not regenerate our heart, we would not be saved! The Holy Spirit regenerates the sinner and places in him a new nature. This new nature enables the sinner to believe in Jesus and repent of his sins. At the time of regeneration (new birth), the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the new born believer and indwells him forever (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Holy Spirit seals the believer and guarantees that this salvation is permanent and is just the down payment of greater future blessings (Ephesians 1:13, 14).
Nobody can understand the Bible without the help of the Holy Spirit. He gives us understanding of God’s Word and gives us the ability to discern truth from error. The work of sanctification is guided by the Holy Spirit. He helps us grow in grace and conforms us to the image of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
At the time of the new birth when the Spirit indwells a person, the regenerated person has as much of the Holy Spirit as he will ever have. A Christian does not get more of the Spirit later on in life nor does he ever have less of the Spirit. The evidence that a person has the Holy Spirit in him is the spiritual fruit that he bears (Galatians 5:22, 23). “If any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, (the Holy Spirit), he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9b).
The Holy Spirit loves us, prays for us, teaches us of Christ, and enables us to live the life that pleases God. Thank the Holy Spirit today for all he has done for you and all He continues to do for you.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Dennis
