Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
“The fellowship of the Holy Spirit” is a blessing for all
believers in Christ (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1).
We do not need any new baptism of the Holy Spirit to enjoy
this blessing. All things are ours in the Christian life when we believed on
Christ and received Him. The apostle Paul tells us we are heirs and joint-heirs
with Christ. Every believer has received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit from
the moment he believed on Christ. The baptism of the Spirit placed us in the
body of Christ. We can now enjoy the communion of the Holy Spirit.
The only thing that can now mar this fellowship
with the Holy Spirit is unconfessed sin. We abide in communion with the Spirit
of God as we abide in the finished work of Christ on the cross. “If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NASB 1995).
We live in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, which is the
fellowship or communion of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is so important that to
blaspheme Him is to suffer eternal judgment. Every other sin can be forgiven
with the exception of speaking evil of Him (Matt. 12:31-32). To blaspheme the
LORD God was punishable by death in the Old Testament (Lev. 24:15, 16). In the
New Testament to blaspheme the Spirit results in eternal judgment. To blaspheme
against the Holy Spirit is to blaspheme against the very essence of the Spirit
of God. It is a sin against the constant striving of the Holy Spirit for us to
repent and believe on Jesus Christ. It is a defiant attitude until the very end
of this life.
The fellowship with the Spirit is so important because we
are united to Christ in the bonds of the Holy Spirit. We communicate with Him
and He with us. He is our teacher and guide. He leads us. He is our advocate
within who interprets the desires of our heart and the will of God. He gives us
the power to do the will of God. He convicts us of sin and exhorts us to go to
the cleansing fountain.
Our fellowship with the Spirit is of utmost importance
because He seeks partnership with us in life and ministry. His resources are
unlimited, inexhaustible, and His power is invincible. He longs for our intimate
fellowship with us. He longs to be admitted to the inner life of the soul.
However, there are attitudes, reservations, interests,
unbelief, prayerlessness, selfish-ambitions, arrogant pride, anger, bitterness,
etc. that grieves and quenches His work.
When we are in agreement with Him the personality of the
believer is quickened and sanctified. Our desire is to be in constant fellowship
with Him.
When we cooperate with Him He comes to give us a daily life
that overflows with the fruit of the Spirit. When we are in agreement with Him
there is His power operating in and through us. Ministry becomes a daily
adventure with Him at the helm. Our empathy for the needy are deepened and
enlightened. Our compassion for the lost soul is strengthened and we pray with
passion that they will be saved. Ordinary Christians become empowered when
clothed with the Spirit of God.
The fellowship, joint-participation, partnership and
communion, with the Holy Spirit is communion with the LORD God. It should affect
everything we do in our Christian life and ministry.
True spiritual unity comes from within; it is a matter of
the heart, and is based on this relationship. That is why Paul in Philippians
2:1 appeals to believers on the strength of this unique relationship with the
Spirit. We could translate “if” with “in view of the fact that,” or “since” you
enjoy this “fellowship with the Spirit” as a result of the Spirit’s permanent
indwelling ministry (1 Cor. 6:19). This may refer, however, to fellowship that
comes from the Holy Spirit, just as encouragement comes from
Christ and comfort comes from love.
Let us not neglect the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit
in life and ministry.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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