The human body is a most remarkable machine. It can maintain a constant temperature of 98.6 degrees no matter the weather outside. Whether a man is at the Arctic Circle or the equator, his body temperature is about the same. There is an inner mechanism that makes the difference. The Holy Spirit dwells within the Christian to achieve that kind of stabilization in terms of spiritual and mental health. (Robert C. Shannon, 1000 windows). That my Christian friend is just one illustration of the importance of the Holy Spirit in every believer; He is our stabilizer of soul and life.

Jesus taught that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was vital to our spiritual health and stability. In fact Jesus taught a good bit about the Spirit in the gospel of John emphasizing His importance in receiving spiritual steadfastness and power in our lives. The teaching of the Spirit in John 14-16 brought very special instructions about the Spirit’s work and ministry. We will look at just one verse to show how vital the powerful Holy Spirit is to his church.

To preface this before we do, it is important that we understand that there is a perfect oneness of interrelationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus sent back the Holy Spirit by the Father’s permission to take his place. The Spirit on earth is the intercessor and go-between for the children of God and their Savior (Romans 8:16,26).

I want you to think about what I am going to write next. The Spirit was sent to be everything Jesus was when He lived here on earth. Not in the sense of Savior and Lord but in the sense of Christ’s ministry and earthly works. Now wrap your mind around the words of Jesus in John 14:12 (b) about the Spirit: “…He will do even greater things than these (*meaning the signs and miracles, everything that Jesus did.) because I am going to the Father.” (*my words inserted)

When Christ sent back the Holy Spirit He was sent to be “more” in displaying Christ’s love and works. I believe that if we were at liberty to give the Holy Spirit another name it would be “more” of God. This means He can be more to us now than Christ ever was while on earth. Jesus could only minister limitedly to people because of his physical body. But the Spirit can minister 24/7 simultaneously to everyone. What Jesus was on earth the Spirit is now; and everything Jesus taught and did The Spirit will do more if we will allow him (See John 14:12,26).

The limits on the Holy Spirit are the word of God. The Spirit will never violate the word of God. You could say that the Word is his instruction manual for his works and for us to abide by. But I am also convinced He wants to be far more than what many understand and believe about Him. He can do far more of Christ’s work because the Word gives him the right if we believe. Think about this. The Father is unlimited God; the Son is unlimited God and Savior of men, and the Holy Spirit is the unlimited God in building the church with divine information of God and His power!

If you want more of God, He’s the one who will give it to you. If you need to be saved just repent and confess faith in Christ. If you need a miracle or healing He is the one who can do this based upon God’s will and faith. If you want more of God and the manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit he will supply those as well. He is everything Jesus was on earth; but He is “more” of everything Jesus was.

How many pastors in the body of Christ and how many devoted believers would love to see a revival of faithfulness and stability with greater commitment from the body of Christ? The Holy Spirit is the tool and presence of Jesus that can do this! Of course there are hindrances’ to the Spirit’s work; the obvious being Satan and sin. But what about the “not so obvious,” like believers’ doubting in the extent of the Spirit’s work and power? How about certain theology that teaches that the Holy Spirit is less in this present age than He was in the early church? Let’s get a little personal here. One of the greatest hindrances in the church can be pastors and teachers who put more limitations on the Holy Spirit’s methods and purposes than the Bible does. There is no question that they are called and devoted men and women of God and would never do this intentionally.

Perhaps the reasons are their theology of limited involvement of the Spirit that they may have been taught in some seminaries. Seminaries who advocate that the day of miracles and signs are over primarily. Add to this their home churches’ teachings as the same and this has led them to dismiss much of the Spirits’ ministry into church history and dispensationalism teaching. Many of us, (if set up with a theology and church that plays down the Spirit’s work) would have little faith in him. So when it comes to some ministry and work of the Spirit, because of traditional and educational teaching, some have put their hands of faith in their pockets concerning the Spirit’s power.

Perhaps we need to bring our hands out, open our faith and minds again to the works of God by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is ready and willing. He’s looking for Christians who will believe in him enough to let him move through them in their churches. So, Christian, (whoever you are) what about the Holy Spirit in your life today? What are you going to do with him?

Pastor Jim