| The Holy Spirit, Part 9: The Holy Spirit as the Lord of Our Sanctification |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, July 12 2010 00:00 |
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As we follow on the devotional of last week in which we considered the role of the Holy Spirit as illuminator of Scripture in our hearts, we broaden the scope to see that the Holy Spirit directs our own personal sanctification. While it is true that the deeds we do, the thoughts we think, and the words we speak are our own, as regenerated people they all fall under the aegis and oversight of the Spirit. Thus it is true that in the life-long, never-complete in this life process of sanctification, the Holy Spirit is the Lord of that process. The key passage to consider has to be 2 Cor. 3:17-18, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Thus the Holy Spirit fulfills in us the purpose of God when He predestined us to be adopted as His sons (Eph. 1:5), that we would be conformed to the likeness of His Son (Rom. 8:30), and the Spirit enables us to perform our role in this and thus accomplish that strange command in the passive voice in Rom. 12:2 to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. A complete and thorough examination of all relevant passages is far beyond the scope of this short devotional, and it is actually beyond the scope even of a class. Paul and the other New Testament writers, along with our Lord, simply speak so very often of the transforming guidance of the Holy Spirit. I could recommend the Engedi study series on “Sanctified by the Spirit” for a more thorough study. However, a careful reading of the eighth chapter of Romans, of passages in the practical section of Romans 12-16, the many references in the Corinthian letters, in Galatians, in Ephesians, and in the Thessalonian letters will be a profitable journey into Paul’s teaching on the sanctifying work of the Spirit. As one further example we could cite Romans 8:5-7, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.” The Holy Spirit works through our minds to create in us the desire and ability to obey God (Phil. 2:12-13). His guidance is not available to the unregenerate, and thus, according to Paul, they lack the ability to submit to God’s law. We should thank God for His Holy Spirit and for His transforming influence in our lives which results in a continual creation of the image of Christ in us. |
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