A Spirit-filled Life is a Life of Holiness
A Spirit-filled Life is a Life of Holiness
One of the greatest pursuits a believer could embark on is to actively live a life of holiness. Human holiness is not considered to be perfection - but the imitating of Christ. The great command in the Bible: “Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy” in 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV), shows that holiness is imperative because God is holy. Holiness is one of the moral attributes of God that believers can imitate. Holiness as a believer is not an optional way of life. Every believer should actively seek to live a life of holiness. “Holiness defines God’s essence, and since God calls his people to be like Him, holiness isn’t optional for us. The Holy One commands his chosen ones to be holy. No exceptions”[1]. The Holy Spirit was sent to Earth to empower believers to fulfill God’s commands to live lives pleasing to Him. As such, to obey the call to be holy as He is holy, believer’s must be Spirit-filled. On the premise that holiness is mandated and imperative, a Spirit-filled life is a life of holiness.
The Holy Spirit Convicts Sin
To convict means, “to convince someone of the truth; to reprove, accuse.” John writes in John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”. In this chapter, Jesus teaches about the work of the Holy Spirit. One of the primary reasons God sent the Holy Spirit is to correct sin in the believer’s life. It is best to understand the conviction of sin as the first step that leads to repentance and ultimately a life of holiness. “True Christian repentance involves a heartfelt conviction of sin, a contrition over the offense to God, a turning away from the sinful way of life, and a turning towards a God-honoring way of life”[2]. As the Holy Spirit convicts the believer of wrongdoing, the believer is made aware of the things in his or her life that displeases God. “The Spirit’s unceasing power is seen in the conviction of sin; the regeneration of the sinner; and in the sanctification of the saved sinner”[3]. Therefore, a Spirit-filled life is a life of holiness because the Holy Spirit convicts the believer when there is sin in their life.
The Holy Spirit Leads Into Truth and Righteousness
Being led by the Spirit is being led into righteousness. Galatians 5:16 says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” In the latter part of Galatians chapter 5, Paul explains that when a believer is not led by the Holy Spirit, “Selfishness will lead him into all kinds of sinful lifestyles. However, when he lives by the Spirit, He will gain more than just being able not to live in sin. What comes out of him is a collection of powerful, positive characteristics.”[4] Since God is holy, He leads His children into holiness and righteousness. Romans 8:14 tells us, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”. “If we live in the Spirit, then there is no limitation to our understanding of divine Truth. We find ourselves in the attitude to freely receive, and glory in, holy truths, the natural man cannot comprehend”[5]. The journey towards righteousness is a journey of sanctification. This is the process of becoming like Christ and being conformed into His image. C.J. Mahaney said that as for the believer, “You have been reconciled to God and have been given the Holy Spirit to dwell in you, lead you, guide you, and empower you to resist and serve God.”[6] A believer who is led by the Holy Spirit will passionately hate the very appearance of sin. Therefore, a Spirit-filled life is a life of holiness because the Holy Spirit leads the believer into truth and righteousness.
The Holy Spirit Helps the Believer to Pray
Romans 8:26 says “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”. “This is praying in light of the Holy Spirit’s power and the Holy Spirit’s will. This is praying in line with God’s express desires and with the truth of His gospel”[7]. The Holy Spirit leads the believer in prayer as they pray to God. A prayerful life is a life of holiness as the believer submits to the will of the Father. The Holy Spirit helps the believer to pray by giving them access to God and making their prayers acceptable to God. Jesus also encouraged some of His disciples in Matthew 26:41 to “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” An active prayer-life helps the believer to avoid temptation and to live holy
A Spirit-filled life is a life of holiness because the Holy Spirit convicts the believer when there is sin in their life, leads the believer into truth and righteousness and, helps the believer to pray. “The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead for our justification, also unites us to Christ, fills us with fruit, and prays to God on our behalf”[8].
Bibliography
[1] Kristen Wetherell, “Yes, Actually, God Does Demand Perfection”, The Gospel Coalition, August 26, 2019, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/god-demand-perfection/
[2] Sam Storms, “The Christian and Repentance”, The Gospel Coalition, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-christian-and-repentance/
[3] Dr. Herbert Lockyer, All of the Teachings of Jesus, (Massachusetts: Hendrickson
Publishers, 1991), 43
[4] “What Does Galatians 5:16 mean?”, BibleRef.com, Got Questions, https://www.bibleref.com/Galatians/5/Galatians-5-16.html
[5] Dr. Herbert Lockyer, All of the Teachings of Jesus, (Massachusetts: Hendrickson
Publishers, 1991), 116
[6] C.J. Mahaney, The Cross Centered Life, (Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, 2002), 62
[7] Mark Dever, “Prayer in the Life and Ministry of the Pastor”, 9Marks, February 26, 2010, https://www.9marks.org/article/prayer-life-and-ministry-pastor/
[8] Mike Christ, “Dear Pastor, Know Your Theology of Sanctification”, 9Marks, February 29, 2016, https://www.9marks.org/article/dear-pastor-know-your-theology-of-sanctification/
