The Holy Spirit and the Word

By Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam

 

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty... and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light"

                                                                                                                                                            Genesis 1:1-3 NIV

 

The Bible account of creation is a testimony of God's creative power and gives Christians insight on how God can work in the same way in our lives. God created the whole world from nothing. The Bible tells us that in the beginning, the earth was "formless and empty" and "the Spirit of God was hovering" over the face of the earth. Then God spoke the word, "Let there be..." and the whole realm of creation came into existence - from the sky, seas and land, the plants, animals, fish and birds, culminating in the creation of man and woman who were made in His image. Thus we see how the Holy Spirit and the Word co-operated for God to bring about His purpose and will. Similarly, Christians need to apply the dynamics of the Word and the Holy Spirit if we are to find success in becoming everything God says we can be.

 

Successful Christian living requires more than the talents you are born with or the giftings God gives you. It requires more than charisma or education. All these help but they are not the answer. What you need is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. When you believe and act on the word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit, He is going to give birth or create within you an effective lifestyle that will result in your becoming what God declares you can be - a victor. More than a conqueror and an overcomer. Those struggling to live a successful Christian life may wonder if God has lost His power. No, God has not lost His power. However, trying to accomplish what God wants to create within you in your own strength, talent and power is not the way. God has given us the Word, who is Jesus. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Thus, if you want to find success in doing what God wants you to do, hide the Word of God in your heart. Let Jesus into your life and obey Him. Ask for the Holy Spirit and you will receive Him (Luke 11:11-13). Believe what Jesus promised to do for you and with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can live successfully and victoriously.

 

It is amazing what the Holy Spirit can do. Remember, the earth was dark, formless and void. This typifies a life without Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are someone like that trying to live a Christian life, you will disillusioned and trying to change will be futile. But there is hope, so do not give up. How can you change and become what God wants you to be? You must have the word of God abiding in you. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:7-8). You cannot be everything God says you can be by self-determination, will power or by positive thinking. The answer is total surrender of one's self to the lordship of Jesus Christ and a life yielded to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. The creative power of the Holy Spirit and obedience to the Word of God can change you and make you more like Jesus. You can live a successful and victorious Christian life.

 

What the Holy Spirit created through the Word of God was very good. The Bible says, "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). But why is life empty, meaningless and bankrupt? Why don't we have the power to live victoriously and change what we know is bad? What's wrong? It's because of sin. Sin is disbelief and disobedience to God's Word. Sin destroys life and brings death. Sin exchanges the eternal life for the temporal. In this vacuum, the devil offers us imitations. He says you do not need to believe God and neither do you have to believe in the Word of God. He offers you the substitutes for the real thing. There is no real joy, peace and satisfaction from the things of this world. "Do not love the world or the things of this world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life - is not of the Father but of this world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).

 

 

Jesus told His disciples that He came "that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus also promised that He would send them the Holy Spirit. " Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with the power from on high" (Luke 24:29). This was Jesus' success when he was on earth doing the will of His Father. Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God. He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, (Luke 4:18). You can also be a powerful witness with God's anointing (Acts 1:8). Let Jesus live in you; be filled with the Holy Spirit and you will be fruitful.

 

Are you living in obedience to the Word of God and filled with the Holy Spirit? The Bible says, "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4). You need to believe the Word of God and receive the Holy Spirit daily to be everything God says you can be.

 

CALVARY NEWS

Issue No.57, May-June 1999