One of the greatest blessings for humanity, alongside the incarnational saving work of Jesus Christ, is the pouring of the Holy Spirit on all mankind. Like water on dry land and breath to dry bones, it is the power of the Spirit that brings spiritual regeneration to a dying humanity. The universal presence of the Spirit today enables people to respond and live into the reality of God’s abundant life made possible in Jesus Christ.
As a denomination, it is crucial for us to recognize the ongoing ministry and role of the Holy Spirit in enabling us to participate in God’s saving work. After his ascension, Jesus commanded his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, “another comforter” (in addition to Jesus). He was helping them see that it is only in his power, by the Spirit, that they could experience and manifest all that Jesus had accomplished.
Among the many workings of the Holy Spirit, an important one is providing us the spiritual discernment necessary to know and remain faithful to the truth and to God’s will. In a world that is getting increasingly confusing with contradictory spiritual messaging, it is easy to be thrown off the journey towards spiritual maturity and the sanctifying life in Christ. This spiritual and moral fog is even more amplified today with the widespread influence of social media. Jesus warned us about being misled (Matthew 24:4-5), and he promised us help:
However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. For he won’t speak on His own, but will say whatever he hears, and will proclaim to you what is to come. John 16:13 CEB
Paul recognized the importance of spiritual discernment by the enabling presence of the Spirit in us. His words to the Corinthian church ring true today as much as it did in his time.
And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit … Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 NRSVUE
As we are empowered by the Spirit to discern and remain in God’s truth, we also recognize that this precious truth transforms us and is manifest through us. Again, Paul reminds and exhorts the Christians in Corinth:
So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 NRSVUE
This makes us kingdom representatives here on earth. We are enabled to show to this world what Christ and his kingdom stands for. The Holy Spirit directly intervenes and empowers us what to say and how to respond (Luke 12:11-12). We are accorded spiritual discernment to manifest the love of Christ as well as to remain “blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).
As a denomination, the Holy Spirit is granting us discernment for a fuller expression of healthy church: healthy theology, healthy leadership, and healthy ministries. This discernment is impossible without divine intercession. May we remain receptive to the leading and discernment the Spirit is mediating in us.
By Dan Zachariah, Superintendent of Asia
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Thank you for sharing wise words as reminders in these perilous days.
It is comforting to know we have the Holy Spirit working in us and helping in stressful times.