A few days ago, I received the following article forwarded to me from a friend who had received it from the author. Given Blakely has ministered for many years among Christian Churches, Churches of Christ, and other churches. I offer this to you with his permission. You may examine “more than 16,000 pages” of his work at his web site here at http://wotruth.com.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. If you do not believe the Holy Spirit works today in the life of the believer, I am sure you will want to reconsider that position.
FORTY-ONE MINISTRIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST
Given O. Blakely - Dec 30, 2009
Having come from a background where very little was said about the Holy Spirit, the last five decades have been especially meaningful and liberating to me. After having given more attention to the text of Scripture than to what men have said about it, I have been, and continue to be, refreshed by the clear and concise things that have been revealed concerning the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the saved. Jesus said that if He went away, He would send “the Comforter.” He went on to point out that this Comforter would not only minister to the Apostles. He continued, “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11).
That convicting ministry would not be the only, or even the primary, work of the Spirit. He would have a direct relation to all the children of God, ministering in matters that pertain to life in the Son. I have assembled a reasonable sampling of this remarkable work. My heart fairly leaps within me as I consider each one of them, and make them points of cogitation.
Without being unduly critical, I must say that I have been offended at the absence of insightful preaching and teaching on these matters during my formative years. Aside from my godly parents, I cannot recall a single person in the ranks in which I walked that spoke at any length about these things. Thanks be unto God, I have triumphed over such debilitating times by simply looking in another direction – to Jesus (Heb 12:1-2), and to things that are “not seen” (2 Cor 4:18). I can say with special understanding that it is difficult to overcome erroneous religion – but by the grace of God it can be done. A significant part of this overcoming is owing to gaining a valid perspective of the note worthy scope of the Spirit’s ministry.
Here are a few things I have quickly assembled that pertain to the present activities of the Holy Spirit.
1. A PERSONAL COGNITION OF THE LOVE OF GOD – “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts BY THE HOLY GHOST which is given unto us.” (Rom 5:5)
2. FREEDOM FROM THE ENSLAVING LAW OF SIN AND DEATH – “For THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom 8:2)
3. NOT DWELLING IN THE CONDEMNING ENVIRONS OF THE FLESH – “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELL IN YOU. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Rom 8:9)
4. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE BODY FOR GOD’S GLORY – “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies BY HIS SPIRIT that dwelleth in you.” (Rom 8:11)
5. PUTTING TO DEATH SINFUL EXPRESSIONS – “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye THROUGH THE SPIRIT do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Rom 8:13)
6. BEING LED IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – “For as many as are led BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14)
7. THE AGGREGATE CHURCH BEING A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD – “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that THE SPIRIT OF GOD dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor 3:16)
8. A PERSONAL AWARENESS OF BEING GOD’S CHILD – “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Rom 8:15) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Gal 4:6)
9. HAVING A VERY REAL TASTE OF THE GLORY TO COME – “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom 8:23)
10. EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE IN DEALING WITH WEAKNESSES – “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. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because HE MAKETH INTERCESSION for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom 8:26-27)
11. THE TESTIMONY OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE – “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness IN THE HOLY GHOST,” (Rom 9:1)
12. THE POSSESSION OF RIGHTEOUS, PEACE, AND JOY – “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy IN THE HOLY GHOST.” (Rom 14:17)
13. ABOUNDING IN HOPE – “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST.” (Rom 15:13)
14. THE SANCTIFICATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OFFERED TO GOD – “That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified BY THE HOLY GHOST.” (Rom 15:16)
15. BEING ABLE TO LOVE PROPERLY – “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the LOVE OF THE SPIRIT, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” (Rom 15:30)
16. KNOWING WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST – “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but THE SPIRIT OF GOD. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; THAT WE MIGHT KNOW the things that are freely given to us of God.” (1 Cor 2:11-12)
17. WASHING, JUSTIFICATION, AND SANCTIFICATION – “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and BY THE SPIRIT OF OUR GOD” (1 Cor 6:11)
18. INSIGHTFULLY AND THANKFULLY AFFIRMING THAT JESUS IS LORD – “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but BY THE HOLY GHOST.” (1 Cor 12:3)
19. BEING PUT INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST – “For BY ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Cor 12:13)
20. HAVING A DOWN PAYMENT OF WHAT WE WILL INHERIT – “Who hath also sealed us, and given THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT in our hearts.” (2 Cor 1:22) “Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT.” (2 Cor 5:5)
21. BECOMING A PERSONAL LETTER FROM CHRIST – “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.” (2 Cor 3:3)
22. BEING PROGRESSIVELY CHANGED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST – “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD.” (2 Cor 3:18)
23. BEGINNING NEWNESS OF LIFE – “Are ye so foolish? having begun IN THE SPIRIT, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal 3:3)
24. PATIENTLY WAITING FOR PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS – For we THROUGH THE SPIRIT wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Gal 5:5)
25. BEING ABLE TO RESIST THE ENCROACHMENTS OF LUST – “This I say then, Walk IN THE SPIRIT, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Gal 5:16)
26. BEING ABLE TO SPEAK PROFITABLY TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled WITH THE SPIRIT; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:18-19)
27. A STRONG COMPETITIVE INFLUENCE AGAINST THE CALL OF THE FLESH – “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and THE SPIRIT against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal 5:17)
28. THE PRODUCTION OF HOLY QUALITIES WITHIN – “But the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:25) “For the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” (Eph 5:9)
29. REAPING ETERNAL LIFE – “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall OF THE SPIRIT reap life everlasting.” (Gal 6:8)
30. HAVING ACCESS TO THE FATHER – “For through him we both have access BY ONE SPIRIT unto the Father.” (Eph 2:18)
31. BEING BUILT TOGETHER FOR GOD’S DWELLING PLACE – “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God THROUGH THE SPIRIT.” (Eph 2:22)
32. UNITY WITH THOSE IN CHRIST – “Endeavoring to keep the unity OF THE SPIRIT in the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:3)
33. BEING SEALED, OR MARKED, AS ONE OF GOD’S OWN – “And grieve not THE SPIRIT OF GOD, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)
34. EFFECTIVE PRAYING – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Eph 6:18) “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying IN THE HOLY GHOST” (Jude 1:20)
35. ACCORD WITH THE SPIRIT – “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT, if any bowels and mercies,” (Phil 2:1)
36. MAINTAINING WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US – “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep BY THE HOLY GHOST which dwelleth in us.” (2 Tim 1:14)
37. THE POSSESSING OF STRENGTHENING JOY – “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with JOY OF THE HOLY GHOST.” (1 Thess 1:6)
38. THE SANCTIFICATION THAT CARRIES OUT AND VALIDATES DIVINE CHOICE – “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT and belief of the truth:” (2 Thess 2:13)
39. INITIAL AND CONTINUED RENEWAL – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and RENEWING OF THE HOLY GHOST.” (Titus 3:5)
40. OBEDIENCE AND THE SANCTIFYING SPRINKLING OF CHRIST’S BLOOD – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (1 Pet 1:2)
41. OBEYING THE TRUTH – “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth THROUGH THE SPIRIT unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:” (1 Pet 1:22)
Now that the Comforter has come, all of these marvelous ministries are available to the saints of God. Oh, they do not take place automatically, or in spite of unacceptable thought and conduct. However, you are sure to experience them if you will take these words seriously: “Grieve not the Spirit of God,” and “Quench not the Spirit” (Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that the Comforter has come!
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