The Holy Spirit Part 2

We now come to the second part of our study on the Holy Spirit. We would like to recognize some of the workings of the Holy Spirit. I am a firm believer that God saves sinners, I am also a firm believer that no man can turn from his wicked ways of being a sinner and turn to God, therefore I must conclude that the Holy Spirit is the single one who pricks our hearts and causes us to repent. God has concluded that the Holy Scriptures were written by man, but men inspired by God, this is the reason Paul concluded “All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." 2 Timothy 3:16 and then we must look at what Peter concluded “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:21 Either these two great men were absolute liars or we must conclude the holy men of God wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit was involved in creation because of Genesis 1:2 but notice what Job said about the Holy Spirit and creation "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Job 33:4 He concluded that it was the Holy Spirit that had made him a just man, just as He has made us all that are saved; even what we are in this life. No man works the works of God without the Holy Spirit making him what he is. We also know that the Holy Spirit works with lost people; because if you will remember just before the flood God had concluded "...My spirit shall not always strive with man..." Genesis 6:3 (Now this is not to be equated with the Holy Spirit working with man in salvation.) but rather the Holy Spirit dealing with the lost only. God has much wonderful longsuffering with both the saved and the lost or other wise He would simply destroy us all. But the clock is running on the evils of this world; just as it was before the flood "...his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." Genesis 6:3 we have no conclusion when exactly Jesus Christ will return and then Gods judgments begins to unfold, but we do know there is a set time just as there was before the flood. Gods Holy Spirit will not always “strive” with man. The Holy Spirit does not strive with man in salvation or in His blessed work; He simply calls and we answer just as Paul did "...Lord, what wilt thou have me to do..." Acts 9:6. We know that the Holy Spirit deals with man in salvation because man could not be saved if the Holy Spirit did not save him. "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 We are the sons of God because of Jesus Christ but we are saved because the Holy Spirit pricked our hearts and caused us to believe on the works of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul concluded that unless the Holy Spirit has pricked our hearts and caused us to believe that that we are not saved. "...Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9 there are a lot of people out there that have been sold a damaged bill of goods on the gospel because it is not simply a choice we make in life; we must be saved by God. This is why John concluded “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him..." John 6:44 and if you look up the word “draw” it means to drag because man will never decide to change what he is naturally no more than a dog can become a cat. The Holy Spirit also leads in obedience and service to God. Even after He has saved us He also continues to work in our hearts. We can no more choose to work for God no more than we can choose to be saved. Notice how the writer in Acts put it; “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3.) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." Acts 13:2 – 3 it was the Holy Spirit that first sent them and then the church sent them out. The local church has no authority unless it comes first from the Holy Spirit. He also directs our everyday walk; “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 if you are walking in the Holy Spirit then you cannot walk in sin. We see now how much the Holy Spirit plays a role in our life and without Him we would be lost in more ways that one.