Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go I will send Him to you. John 16:7

The Forgotten God

Is the Holy Spirit some lone invisible apparition that you occasionally think about a few Sundays throughout the year? We often have such a small view of God and a large view of ourselves that it is very possible for us to think there is little or no need for the Holy Spirit at all. The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead and completely and fully God (Acts 5:3-4). I sometimes believe many Christians don't think of or consider Him at all. He is to many the 'Forgotten God'.

He is fully the Almighty God who draws, moves on and in, gives spiritual gifts, and acts in full holy authoritative power and righteous judgment. Before Jesus went to heaven He breathed on His disciples and said “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Shortly after He left them and returned to His Father the Spirit fell on the disciples in Jerusalem in a marvelously powerful way (Acts 2: 1-4).

The Holy Spirit is the 'Major Agent' in the working of the Church and in the lives of Christian believers. In His purity and beauty He works to convict unbelievers of sin concerning righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). He regenerates us (John 3:5-8, Titus 3:5), guides us into all truth (John 16:13), glorifies and testifies of Christ (John 15:26, 16:13-14), leads us (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18, Matthew 4:1, Luke 4:1), sanctifies (2^nd Thessalonians 2:13), empowers (Luke 4:14, 24:49, Romans 15:19, Acts 1:8) Brings us righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17) and is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection (2^nd Corinthians 1:22, 5:5) among many of His works.

How can we begin to acknowledge the Holy Spirit in our daily lives? I often pray directly to the Spirit for help during my prayer times when I don't know how to pray for someone or a situation. He intercedes perfectly to God on my behalf (Romans 8:26). I include the Holy Spirit in my praise and worship for as God He is worthy of all praise (1^st Chronicles 16:25, 26-29, Psalms 29:1-2, 99:2-9, 100:1-5, Hebrews 12:28, Revelation 4:8-11). And I incorporate a bigger view of God, His Complete Holiness, Personal Identity, Attributes, Strengths, Magnitude and Magnificence are honored in my daily devotions. As God, the Holy Spirit is included in that. He is a divine Presence, a Power and a real Person.

Meditate on that and make Him a highly remembered part of the Godhead and of your daily adoration, worship, love and praise. He is to be revered and reverenced as God and considered worthy of all our worship and praise. It excites us spiritually when we have the joy of experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and as He exists in His Personal Being He will not be the Forgotten God. On the contrary, He will be remembered and recalled with awe and reverence. To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit be all the glory forever and ever.

Ken