1. HOW DOES SPIRITUAL BOLDNESS COME?

The book of Acts describes the birth and testimony of the Christian church. In Acts chapter 1, we see Jesus ascending to the Father, and at the same time, the Holy Spirit descends into the heart of every Believer.

We understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ opens the door for the Holy Spirit to transform the heart from a heart of stone to a heart receptive to the love of God. While every genuine believer has the Holy Spirit living in them, that Holy Spirit needs to be “turned on”, just like the light switch in a dark house. That turning on of the Holy Spirit occurs in what is known as the Baptism of the Holy Spirit described in the book of Acts. Through yielding to the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are enabled to become more like Jesus and to use the power and authority that He made available to us.

Spiritual boldness can only come from being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” The term “filled” means to be inspired or permeated with the Holy Spirit and therefore led by the Spirit.

Notice that prayer preceded boldness. Before their mouths were opened publicly, their hearts were opened privately before God. Boldness grows when prayer becomes a sign of our relationship with the Lord.

Many times, when faced with an opportunity to be bold in our faith, we don’t know how to start or even what to pray. These opportunities are a perfect time to pray in the Spirit, and I mean in “tongues” to acknowledge our dependence upon the Holy Spirit to help us. The Spirit knows how to intercede for you perfectly before the Father. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

I hope that you can see that when we don’t know what to say or do, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to release boldness to speak or do what the Lord wants us to.

Some will say that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was an event that happened to those while the Apostles were still alive, and is no longer available today. However, the Bible says in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” The promises made to Abraham that He will not abandon the Jews even when they are unfaithful to Him illustrate God’s unchanging nature. Then look at Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” which emphasizes Christ’s unchanging, eternal nature as a divine anchor for believers in shifting circumstances and false, “strange” teachings. It follows a command to remember that Christ’s authority, character, and grace remain constant.

So, what will you believe, personal experience or the Word of God?

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT REMOVES FEAR AND REPLACES IT WITH POWER

Very simply, fear paralyzes, but the Holy Spirit activates. The apostle Paul’s advice to the young Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Fear is an emotion we all experience at times, but we must remember that it undermines faith, for it causes us to doubt God.

Before the Spirit, Peter denied Jesus three times out of fear (Luke 22:54–62). Then, after being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter stood publicly and proclaimed Christ. Acts 2:14, “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them…” What changed Peter was not education or experience—it was the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit allows us to see the spirit realm with spiritual eyes. A beautiful illustration is found in 2 Kings 6, the king of Syria sent an army to capture Elisha, the prophet, and when Elisha’s servant awoke in the morning to see this army arrayed against them, he was terrified. Elisha says in 1 Kings 6:16-17, “… ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” The Lord sent a greater army to protect Elisha. Like the servant of Elisha, the Spirit allowed him to see the spiritual realm, and his confidence was restored.

Pray in the Spirit and build yourself up with boldness, Jude 1:20, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit”

3. BOLDNESS FLOWS FROM ASSURANCE OF SONSHIP

Sonship in this context refers to position as an heir and does not mean male only; it also applies to females, as Galatians 3:28 clearly states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This verse speaks to our relationship with our Lord.

Speaking of father-child relationships, there are two types: loving and obedient or harsh and obedient. For example, in the natural there is a relationship that comes from knowing your father, which is close and cherished. A relationship born out of communication and love. The other type of relationship results from a strict and unsympathetic father, often driven by fear of punishment.

Religion, very simply, is defined as worshipping God. The question is, do we see God as harsh and unsympathetic or loving and caring? How we see Him shapes how we come to the Lord. Do we come with fear or rejoicing in our relationship with the Father? That is the difference between religious exercises and religious relationships.

I would encourage you to read Galatians 3:26 – 4:7 about how God sees you, here is an excerpt, Galatians 4:6-7, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Romans 8:15–16, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

When we know who our Father is, we no longer fear who or what stands against us.

4. THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS BOLD WITNESS

Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”

The Holy Spirit does not just send us—He strengthens us, and we have one simple message, and that is the Gospel that saved us and set us free. That is our testimony, witnessing how Jesus came into our lives.

When you are a witness in a courtroom, you are testifying to what you have seen, heard, or experienced. Anything else is called hearsay and generally not admissible. Being a witness to Jesus means the same; it is testifying to what you have seen, heard, or experienced Jesus do in your life. Every believer has a testimony.

God never assigns a task without supplying the power to complete it.

5. BOLDNESS STANDS EVEN UNDER OPPOSITION

Many Believers live in places where there is hostility to Christianity, and it is in those places where Holy Spirit-directed boldness is so important. Listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Yet when we must be bold, let it be because we have been with Jesus. Acts 4:13, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John… they realized that they had been with Jesus.” We spend time with Jesus when we pray, read the Bible, and spend time in our relationship with the Lord. 1 Corinthians chapter 2 clearly shows that the Lord wants a relationship with us.

Paul consistently preached Christ in environments filled with opposition. Acts 9:27–28, “He preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.” Paul did not rely on intellect alone; he depended on the Spirit to give courage and clarity. Spirit-filled boldness is confidence in God, not self.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Remember we have the same Spirit, the Same Power. 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

6. BOLDNESS IS ROOTED IN LOVE

In Revelation 2:4, the Lord says to the church in Ephesus, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” It is a challenge for Christians to keep the love focus when acting or speaking boldly for the Lord. Our goal is to become like Jesus, and He always operated from love. This doesn’t mean that we must agree with our adversaries, but our hope is to reveal the goodness of Jesus Christ.

Another truth is that love conquers fear, 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…”

Boldness without love becomes harshness; love produces courage with compassion. Love gives courage to confront, forgive, and stand firm. Let love motivate your boldness.

CONCLUSION:

Boldness is the fruit of a Spirit-filled life. Yield to the Holy Spirit, and He will empower you to live courageously for Christ. Boldness does not always remove the storm, but it anchors the soul in the storm. When the Spirit fills us, courage replaces self-preservation.

The Holy Spirit who empowered the early church is the same Spirit at work today. When believers are filled with the Spirit, boldness becomes a natural overflow. A lamp does not strain to shine—it simply stays connected to the power source. When we stay filled with the Holy Spirit, boldness flows naturally.

God desires us to grow in sensitivity to His peace and presence within our lives. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we do not need to put out a “fleece” or have a sign (Matt 12:38-42) to follow His leading. Judges 6:36-40 tells us about the doubt Gideon had about being called by God and describes what a “fleece” is. A fleece is when we ask the Lord to give us a sign before we act. Think about this: isn’t this like asking God to prove Himself? This is not faith in action but doubt and fear. Jesus chastises the religious leaders of the day when they insist that Jesus perform a sign. Here is Jesus’ response: Matthew 12:39, “But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” The door into the peace and presence of God is faith, not signs; remember Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

It is important to realize that Satan cannot counterfeit the peace of God or the love of God. We will not be so easily led astray when we learn to trust and be directed by God’s love and peace.

New Creation Believers

The Apostle Paul gives us insight into how we are to live our lives as “New Creation Believers.” Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Then Paul shows how to live as a new creation Believers in Colossians 3:14-17, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

This scripture gives us four essential attitudes that we must learn to develop in our lives.

1. Love. The love mentioned in verse 14 comes from the Greek word Agape, which means unconditional love. God’s unconditional love for us is the kind of love we must learn to have for others. It is a love that is not earned by performance or deserved by work. In truth, it is a love born out of decision. Just as God decided or chose to love us while we were yet sinners, we, in turn, must reflect that kind of love for others. This challenge to love unconditionally is the greatest test of our commitment to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. However, when we can love as Jesus loved, it will produce the fruit of peace in our lives.
2. Peace. Verse 15 says, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” The word “rule” in this verse can be translated as referee or umpire. In this case, the Holy Spirit is the referee or umpire of our hearts. His peace tells us when something is right. The meaning is clear, especially when making decisions. If there is confusion, fear, or turmoil in your heart, that usually means that it is not of God! So, let God’s peace help you make the right decision in life. 
3. The Living the Word of God, or the scriptures, is also mentioned, and we find that in verse 16. To navigate unknown territories, we need a map and a compass. The map shows us where we are, and the compass shows us how to reach our destination. As Christians, our map is the Bible, and the Holy Spirit is our compass. We need both to navigate successfully in life. The Bible is a spiritual book and must be discerned or understood through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 
4. Our final challenge in these verses is Doing all things as unto the Lord. You are a Christian 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, until you go home to be with Jesus. That means we must be Christ-like all the time. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that we are new creations when we accept Jesus into our lives; the old habits, patterns, and ways of thinking have passed away. I know that is easier said than done; there is a constant battle between the flesh or the carnal nature and the new Spirit of Christ in us. In the words of the apostle Paul, we are choosing to put to death the old nature. “But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:20-24.

Powerful Assurance 

How can we walk in the peace of God? It begins with seeing and believing that you serve a big God. Remember, there is nothing impossible with God! Absolutely nothing! (See Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; Philippians 4:13.) God has also promised to never leave you nor forsake you. He sees you as a son or daughter! 

Finally, in the light of who God is to us, we must take all anxiety and fear and make a conscious decision to lay them at the cross of Calvary. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6,7; see also Isaiah 26:3, 1 Peter 5:6,7).

The peace of God—together with the Holy Spirit’s conviction, the Bible, the Holy Spirit’s recall of scriptures, the Holy Spirit’s orchestration of circumstances, and Holy Spirit messengers—provides us with a powerful assurance that we are working with God and not just for God. This allows us to walk confidently in our relationship with God, His calling, and His ministry.

The Goal of Being Spirit-Led

Let me encourage you that you are to be a voice for God and not an echo. This means that you must be able to discern His voice. You must be confident in your call and ministry to proclaim what He says and carry out His instruction and direction. You have a spiritual ministry and calling. Now, most of us start in ministry as echoes! That means that when we start, we often copy or imitate those who are our mentors or examples in ministry. 

When I started in ministry, I would imitate how other pastors dressed, walked, and spoke. I would rehearse the messages I had heard from others and try to preach or teach them as if they were my own. I was an echo! It seemed easier to be an echo than to develop my relationship with God and learn to hear from Him. 

Herein lies the problem. If we develop the habit of seeking man’s direction (books, audio, TV, radio, friends), then we will not be asking, seeking, and knocking for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes a statement relating to the promise of the Father: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”(Luke 11:9-13).

If you desire more of the Holy Spirit, you will have to look to and rely upon God, not man; you will have to seek the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of men and this world (Matt 6:33). 

After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His followers and restates the promise: “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me’” (Acts 1:4) 

Finally, Jesus says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“Witnesses To Me…” 

When we apply this scripture, we most often apply it in an evangelistic sense: We will be empowered for “witnessing.” While that is a true statement, it is also very limiting. 

If I am to truly be a witness to Jesus, I will testify of what He says and does. That is not limited to boldness in evangelism. It also implies that the witness is active, personal, and now! 

I am a witness to Jesus because I talk to Him daily, and He talks to me through His Holy Spirit.

If you want to be a voice for God and be assured that is God’s plan for you, you must also expect the Holy Spirit to do what He has promised to do in His Word! That means you will not resort to your own strength or plans to accomplish God’s will. It is as if you were to say, “God, unless You show me what to do, I will not move. Unless You tell me what to say, I will not speak. Unless Your presence goes with me, I will not go on” (see Exodus 33:15). 

You were called and created to be a voice for God. Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened; ask, and it will be given to you! That is the Lord’s promise to you!

In Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit would “come upon”or “be with” someone to enable them for a specific purpose or task, but in the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit lives “within” the believer. Christ-followers are the temple or home for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19).

The grace of the Holy Spirit is especially evident in the New Testament as He comes as a gift of Jesus to be our“Helper, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth”.

The Holy Spirit also comes with power and authority over the devil (1 John 4:4). As we surrender our lives to God, we have the Holy Spirit’s power to conquer our selfish will and He helps us live the Christian life as we learn to be led (guided, directed, influenced) by the Spirit, (Rom 8:11).

As we learn to walk in the Spirit, we will overcome the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16-18). This new life in the Spirit requires a new way of thinking and doing things. The Bible instructs us to “…be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23, 24).

We also have the following promise: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom 8:13, 14).

Putting to death the deeds of the body has to do with putting to death those habits and patterns of thinking that are contrary to God’s righteousness and replacing those habits and patterns of thinking with godly habits and godly thoughts. This is where the Holy Spirit’s help is crucial for He is able to reveal truth, remind us of the Scriptures, and speak encouragement to us.

 
As if all of that were not enough, the Holy Spirit also made available, to all believers, important spiritual gifts. As a matter of fact, the Apostle Paul warns us to not be ignorant or unaware of these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant”.  In other words, Paul was saying that these gifts are too important for the church to neglect.

While I would encourage you to read all of 1 Corinthians chapter 12, I will be touching, ever so briefly on the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. I will be spending more time on the individual gifts in my next series entitled Christianity 201.

There are nine gifts of the Spirit described in 1 Corinthians 12 and they are:
1.   Word of Wisdom – A spoken message of wisdom inspired by the Holy Spirit to an individual, dealing with the deep things of God.
2.   Word of Knowledge –A spoken message referring to understanding things that could not be naturally known.
3.     Faith – Extraordinary faith as opposed to “saving” and “normal” Christian faith. the faith to move mountains.
4.   Gifts of Healings -The supernatural ability to administer healing to others. The plural form of the word healings indicates a variety of illnesses common to mankind.
5.   The Working of Miracles – Supernatural ability to over-ride or reverse natural laws of nature.
6.   Discerning of Spirits -The supernatural ability to discern the source of a spiritual manifestation. The three sources are God, Satan and the spirit of man.
7.   Prophecy –The supernatural ability to speak what Jesus is saying at the moment to encourage, edify, exhort by revealing what God will do.
8.   The Gift of Tongues- The supernatural ability to speak an unlearned language that glorifies God. When done in public, as in church, it should be followed by the gift of the Interpretation of Tongues.
9.   The Interpretation of Tongues -This gift always follows the public speaking of the gift of tongues so that it would be understood by those in attendance. As a side note the Gift of Tongues and Gift of Interpretation when taken together is prophecy.

These gifts of the Spirit are nested between 1 Corinthians 12:7 & 11. Verse 7 says, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”. The “all” is referring to the Body of Christ or the spiritual Church. Then verse 11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills”. The Holy Spirit sovereignty gives His gifts as He pleases.

The spiritual church is made up of all believers who are born-again, otherwise known as the body of Christ. As Jesus is now the spiritual head so His body (us) is spiritual as well. In Ephesians 1:22-23, the Apostle Paul says, “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all”. Spiritually speaking, we are the Body and Jesus is the Head!

The gifts of grace of God are for His body of believers. As important physical churches and organizations are, they are not what Jesus died for… He died for you and me. The original word for church in the New Testament is the Greek word, Ecclesia, or “called out ones”. Those who have been called out of the World into the Kingdom of God, the Spiritual Church on earth!

Jesus empowered the church with spiritual leaders to lead the way in Ephesians 4:11, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers”, these five gifts are often referred to as the “Five-fold” Ministry gifts. Let’s briefly look at each one of these gifts to the Church.

1. Apostles– are ambassadors of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ with miraculous powers: a messenger, one that is sent. Apostles go to new places to establish the body of Christ, and to ensure that churches are operating under correct doctrines or teachings. Missionaries are examples of those who are sent to establish works in foreign lands.
2. Prophets- are forth-teller not fortune-tellers; they are inspired speakers of and for God. A Prophet speaks forth what Christ is saying to the church for today. A prophet encourages, edifies, and exhorts the Body of Christ.
3. Evangelists- are preachers of the gospel. The gift of the Evangelist is to produce new converts with the simple Gospel of Jesus; the message of love, forgiveness, and acceptance.
4. Pastors- are shepherds or those who are responsible for the care and health of the Body of Christ.
5. Teachers- are instructors who teaches the truths of Jesus Christ and the Bible.

All of these are people who are called by God to equip or prepare the saints (you and I) for the work of ministry or serving. All of this is revealed in Ephesians 4:11-16.

Let me take a moment to talk about a sensitive issue regarding leaders in the church. It is easy to put leaders “on a pedestal” and then to be so disappointed when they don’t live up to expectations. Always keep in mind that ministers are human just like every other believer. They are still working through their own weaknesses and shortcomings as all believers do, even though they may be “anointed or gifted” by God. “God does not call those who are equipped to do ministry but equips those whom He calls”. This means that God is working through the Holy Spirit in bringing to maturity every leader too. Think of the greatest of the Apostles, Peter, and see the failures and disappointments that he experienced before becoming the leader that God ordained him to be.

Now the unbeliever looks at these lapses in Christian leadership and cries out “you see they are all hypocrites!” However, those who are mature Christians understand that all of us including Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers are works in progress! While it is true that the “fivefold ministry” leaders are held to a higher standard by God (James 3:1) it is important, as believers, not to judge too quickly. 

Having said that, we should obviously avoid those who preach false doctrines or practice immorality, because there are those who are, as the bible describes them as, wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).

The entire Old Testament of the Bible clearly points to mankind’s inability to live according to the Mosaic Law, under the Law no one could be “good enough”! Therefore, as far as the Old Testament is concerned it was impossible to live without sin.

Sin has two components, first, it results in eternal death or Hell, second, it separates one from the blessings of God and a wholesome relationship with Him. The Father sent Jesus to deal with the “death” issue by dying on the Cross and His resurrection is the assurance of our own resurrection or life everlasting. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us so that we would be able to live victoriously in a sinless relationship with Him and under His blessings.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead or Trinity, He is not an “it” or some impersonal force. The Holy Spirit is God! When Jesus ascended to Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us. The moment we accepted Jesus into our lives our spirit was born-again, and the Holy Spirit came to live in us. The function of the Holy Spirit is to lead or guide us and teach us all truths about God. The Holy Spirit does this by making the Bible alive and meaningful to us. He “illuminates” the Word of God, He brings to “remembrance” the teachings of Jesus and “convicts” us when we go astray. The Holy Spirit is the agent by which we become “transformed” into the image of Jesus. In other words, we become more like Him.

When we first come to Christ our spirit is renewed, but our minds or souls initially are unchanged. Romans 12:2 says, “do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. In a very real sense, we have been brainwashed by our society and culture and many of the things we have learned are contrary to God’s view of right and wrong.

The Book of Judges in the Old Testament is an account of how the Israelites betrayed God’s faithfulness to them time and time again. God provided a series of Judges or leaders to get them back to the worship of the one true God. An important phrase that is used in Judges to describe the rebellious people was, “They did what was right in their own eyes”. In other words, ignoring what was right in God’s eyes and doing what they wanted. Doesn’t that sound like life today?

Getting back to Romans 12:2, “do not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. Conforming is a human work, transformation is a Holy Spirit’s work. Conforming means if you talk like a Christian, dress like a Christian, act like a Christian you must be a Christian. Well, that isn’t necessarily true!

A Christian is one who has accepted Jesus and has surrendered themselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Their minds are being changed as they accept by faith the truths that have been revealed by God. They are replacing the old ways with new ways. You see the change must begin with a mind that is being renewed or changed by the Holy Spirit. This transformation process will produce the outward characteristics of a true Christian.

I can’t stress enough the importance of the Bible especially the New Testament, which was written for the Christian. The Holy Spirit can only draw out of you what you put in. The more you put into your spirit the more truths the Holy Spirit can bring to your remembrance, illuminate, and convict- as you face decisions throughout the day.

In closing, let me say that God the Father provided for your salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus provided the Holy Spirit to enable you to live the Christian life as you are being transformed from the inside out and becoming more like Jesus.

The Grace of Father God is that He provided a way to restore the broken relationship in the Garden of Eden, between mankind and Himself. The Father did this by providing a “Seed”, a Messiah in Hebrew, a Christ in Greek, a Savior in English, and in any language- Jesus.

The Grace of Jesus Christ is revealed in the Gift of the Holy Spirit to the believer. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live the Christian life in grace and power.

When Jesus walked the earth, His followers had the benefit of His presence. They felt His love, experienced His fellowship, witnessed His signs and wonders that only God could produce. Jesus came to the earth to live as a human being for approximately 33½ years. Jesus made it very clear that when He departed He would leave us “another like Himself” or a “Helper”, but this time instead of a physical person the Helper would come in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit.

Jesus in the flesh could only be in one place at one time, but in the spirit, He could live in every believer. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that He lives in us.

In Acts 1:4 Jesus appeared to His disciples and commanded them to stay in Jerusalem where they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit. They were to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father, of which Jesus had already told them about before He was crucified. Listen to what Jesus said in John 16:7, “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 depart, I will send Him to you”. In Acts 1:8 Jesus assures his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Power to do what you might ask? Power to live the Christian life and to be a bold witness in words and action of the Gospel or Good News of Jesus Christ.

You see, Jesus had to leave or ascend to heaven, in order to send the Holy Spirit to us. In the gospel of John 14:16 Jesus says the following, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you”.

The word “Helper” means intercessor, advocate, or one who is alongside you through thick and thin. Jesus calls Him another Helper, in other words one like Himself. God will never leave you or abandon you. How wonderful it is to know that although Jesus in the flesh is not here, His Spirit lives in us. The Holy Spirit provides the love, the fellowship, the signs and wonders that only God could produce, but now though us!

An important function of the Helper is to guide you into doing what Jesus would do. Jesus says in John 14:25, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Now what are some of the truths that the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance? Here is a list of ten out of hundreds that the Holy Spirit reminds us of:

1. The Holy Spirit confirms to us that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16).
2. The Holy Spirit is our down-payment or guarantee of the our future resurrection (2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5).
3. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us and in us (John 16:14-15).
4. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to pray (Rom. 8:26-27; Jude 1:20).
5. The Holy Spirit sets us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
6. The Holy Spirit reveals to the world what sin is, what is righteousness and the coming judgment(John 16:8).
7. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13).
8. The Holy Spirit fills us (Ephesians 5:18).
9. The Holy Spirit empowers us (Acts 1:8).
10. The Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit [character] or evidence of His work and presence in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

As you can see Jesus’ gift of the Helper or the Holy Spirit is actively revealing to us that we are loved, forgiven and accepted by Father God!

As Christians we believe in one God in three persons, God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is a difficult spiritual concept, if not impossible concept to fully understand, therefore we accept it by faith! A natural, but simplistic view would be that a man can be father, husband, and son at the same time. Not three persons but one.

What we see in the scriptures is that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit share the same nature. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are gift-givers or givers of grace.

1. Father God gave us the Son Jesus. John 3:16
2. The Son, Jesus, gave the Holy Spirit to all believers and ministry gifts to the church. Acts 1:8, Ephesians 4:11
3. Holy Spirit gave Spiritual Gifts to believers 1 Corinthians 12

Now let’s examine in more detail the Gift or Grace of the Father. You may recall the account in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve which is found in Genesis two and three. Before they sinned, they lived in a state of innocence in relationship with God, they “walked” with Him in the Garden of Eden. When they were deceived by Satan and disobeyed God by eating of the fruit of the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”, this became the defining moment for sin. Sin is simply not believing God, in essence disobeying what He has said.

At that moment of disobedience, Sin entered the world and mankind would now be separated estranged from Father God. Yet, because of the love of the Father for His creation He cursed Satan and made a promise to mankind; Genesis 3:14-15, “The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. And I will put enmity (hostility) Between you and the woman, and between your seed (offspring) and her Seed (Offspring- Messiah); He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”This singular verse in the beginning (Genesis) holds the hope of all mankind.

In verse 15, Father God is speaking to the serpent (Satan) and addresses his offspring as seed (note the lower-case “s” in the word seed). His head will be bruised, crushed, or destroyed. Satan’s end is coming!

Whereas the capitalized Seed represents the Messiah, Christ, or Jesus. He will be the seed (offspring) of a woman (human or incarnate) and His heel will be bruised or crushed which represents Jesus’ heel bruised on the cross of Calvary.

God the Father promised a gift (Grace) and that gift was in the person of Jesus Christ who would come to restore the relationship between the Father and His creation or mankind. Jesus would do this by forgiving our sins.

In Jeremiah 31:31-34, Father God makes a promise of a New Covenant of Grace which will replace the Old Covenant of Law in which He says, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more”.

In the New Testament, Father God fulfilled the promise of the greatest gift of grace to all of mankind in that He sent Jesus the Son to die for us so that we might receive forgiveness of our iniquity and remember our sins no more. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Have you received this great gift of Jesus Christ from the Father? There is no better time than right now!

Next time we will look at:

1. Gift of the Son, Jesus – As He gave the Holy Spirit to all believers and ministry gifts to the church. Acts 1:8, Ephesians 4:11
2. Gift of the Holy Spirit – He gave Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12

Until then—

If you been following along you have an idea of what faith and works are:
1. Faith is trusting in Jesus to keep His promises and living in a manner that is consistent with that trust or faith.
2. Works, in this verse, are those things that we do to try and earn or deserve God’s acceptance.

“For by Grace you have been saved”, now, what is this thing that we see in Ephesians called Grace? The Greek word for Grace is “Charis” and is most often defined as “unconditional gift”. We could spend a lifetime trying to figure out what this magnificent thing called God’s grace is. Grace is so awesome, unexpected and undeserved. God’s grace in the area of salvation is that if we put our faith in Jesus we are forgiven of all our sins and receive the guarantee that we will go to Heaven and spend eternity with Him. In other words, Heaven is actually a free gift to those whose faith is in Jesus! To truly understand God’s Grace, you must understand God’s love first.

In the New Testament, there are three important words that are translated from the Greek into the word “Love”.

1. Storge: This is the type of love signifies the natural affection between family members. 
2. Phileo:  This Greek word for love signifies, to be a friend to…fond of an individual or object; having affection for; a matter of sentiment or feeling.
3. Agape: This Greek word for love appears most frequently in the New Testament.  It is most often understood in the Bible as “unconditional love”, or a choice to love.

Agape love is a love that is the outcome of a moral principle, rather than a feeling of liking or affection. As a result, Agape love means to love the undeserving, despite disappointment and rejection. At no time, does it mean to love as a duty or a cold religious obligation.

Parents of children can appreciate this kind of Agape love. No matter what the children do, no matter how they may disappoint you or hurt you… you still love them and want the best for them. That is the kind of love God has for you. No matter what you have done, no matter what kind of person you have become… God sent Jesus just for you! Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.

God’s nature is Agape love, 1 John 4:8 tells us that, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love”. This doesn’t mean that God is capable of love, it is more than that. He is the embodiment of Love! Everything He does is from the perspective and motivation of Agape love. God loves His creation even when the creation rejects Him. This kind of love is quite foreign to our life’s experience. Honestly, most of us have experienced a performance type of love. If we are “good” we experience love. If we are not “good: we are punished or rejected.

 Ephesians 2 says, “It is the gift of God”, The word “gift” makes it undeserved and unearned. “Not of works” clearly means that it is not based on “how good you are”! For most of us, we are taught and go through life believing that if we are good we will be rewarded. While there is a practical and natural truth to this it does not apply to God’s view of us. John 3:16 clearly shows us what motivates God to give us wonderful gifts ”For God so loved or Agape the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. You see, God gives out of love”.

So here are two things that are quite impossible to fully understand, God’s love and God’s grace. They are difficult to understand with our natural minds or intellect because they are spiritual principles. How then do we comprehend them, it must be by faith! When we accept by faith that God loves us, it then naturally follows that we can then accept that He wants to bless us.

Take these steps of faith today, see yourself, not as the world sees you, but see yourself as God sees you… you are loved by the Father, forgiven by Jesus, and accepted into the family of God by virtue of the Holy Spirit living in you.

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The point that faith requires doing something is well made in the book of James. First look at James 1:6-8, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways”.

We must be steadfast in our faith in God. If our faith is in the promise then circumstances will cause our faith to waver, but if our faith is in Jesus and our relationship with Him then we will be steadfast. It is very much like being a passenger in a plane, is your trust in the advertising promise that you will have a safe flight or in the pilot to make it a safe flight?

The second point is found in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”. If we are not doing or responding according to the Word of God; then we are hearers only! Don’t deceive yourself in thinking that you have faith if there is no out-working of that faith. It is like the person who believes it is going to rain but doesn’t bring an umbrella along. Let your actions correspond to what you are believing for!

The third point is found in James 2:14-26. This section of scripture is sometimes misunderstood in particular verse 24 which says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only”. It is a tragic mistake to think that James is saying that salvation or any other area of spiritual life is by works and faith. In the context of verses 24-26, James is saying that faith must have some evidence or outworking that points to faith in God. Just doing good deeds or good works, while noble and should be encouraged, by itself will not justify you. However, believing in Jesus and as a result, you are led to do good deeds… well that is the evidence of Faith!

Now there will be times when we must wait upon the Lord to do His part, but this by no means suggests that we do nothing. Resisting the temptation to sin is an important faith action. Resisting doubt and fear is also an important action. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”. Too many interpret this to mean I do nothing and God will do it all. Yet Proverbs 16:9states, “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps”. We need to walk it out or as the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “we walk by faith and not by sight”.  

Finally, what’s “the story” when what we are believing for doesn’t come to pass. Sometimes it is just a timing issue. God is always at work and the promise is on its way. Remember God is not limited by time and space. However, it could be that as it says in, James 4:3, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. In other words God cant bless those things that are contrary to His nature of love, forgiveness and acceptance.

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So, faith is not wishing, hoping, or wanting something to be. Instead, it is the confidence and assurance that because of the love of God He will not leave you or abandon you to your circumstances. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 8: 38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Do you believe that… that nothing can separate you from God’s Love?

 It is your faith in the Lord that causes you to behave or act in a manner that shows you have already received that for which you are believing. Now that was a mouthful! The world says, “Show me and then I will believe!” God says, “Believe in Me and then I will show you!”

Abraham of the Old Testament is called the “Father of Faith” because he acted on what God said even before there was physical proof. God spoke to Abraham that he would be the “father of many nations” even before he had any children. Abraham received the promise of a son when he was 75 years old and was reminded of that promise when he was 90, but it wasn’t until he was 100 years old that the promise was fulfilled. During all that time Abraham believed in what God said. Listen to what Genesis 5:19-22 says about Abraham, “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” You see faith is believing that you have it before it comes to pass.

Believing with your mind is not the same as demonstrating faith with your actions! True faith gets you into the wheelbarrow!

Start your adventure with God today by remembering that “we walk by faith and not by sight! (2 Cor 5:7)