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Reading - The Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:3-14)
The Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead and He needs to be treated and respected as God. We should never lose sight of who He is and what the Scriptures reveal about him.
Ephesians chapter 1 gives us a clear picture of the Godhead.
Verses 3-4 show us that the Father is the originator of our salvation.
Verses 4-12 show that Jesus is the one who makes it all possible.
And verses 13-14 show that the Holy Spirit is the one who equips and makes it real within the lives of God's children.
That is His ministry to us today. The fullness of our salvation has not yet been revealed but it will come because of the Holy Spirit within our lives.
We may not always feel that we are filled to overflowing: the widow who spoke to Elisha certainly did not (2 Kings 4.) She had to be reminded that she had the small jar of oil tucked away in some dark cupboard. Then she was encouraged to use it under the direction of Elijah, and what a miracle! The small amount of oil became a house full. Oil in the Old Testament is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we only have a small amount tucked away somewhere but we need to pour it out at the Lord's command. We, too, will find it will keep pouring until the need is met.
The Holy Spirit also distributes gifts asHhe pleases (1 Corinthians 12:11). These enable us to bring the reality of the life of God to people in this world. Tapping into God's knowledge and power is not just so we can do some spiritual party trick, but so that God can reveal something that will bring glory to His name.
Neither is speaking in prophecy just so you will know which job to go after or home to buy. Prophecy is God speaking directly into people's situations and affecting them by His life. I would not say that it is essential to know the gifts of the Holy Spirit when speaking to cult members, but we should note that usually they are a tremendous asset - especially discernment and wisdom.
Some say that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for today, they were only necessary to see the early church established, or until that which is perfect, the Bible, came into being. This last thought comes from 1 Corinthians 13:10 which says that when that which is perfect comes, the gifts that are partial will cease. But, what is, 'that which is perfect' and, more to the point, has it come? As great as the Bible is, I do not believe it is that which is perfect. There is still a greater revelation for us when God sets up His kingdom and that to which the Bible points forward will be a reality. When we see the Lord face to face we will not need the gifts, but until then they reveal God to the people, and we should be seeking the Lord to release them through us.
His fruit too such as love, patience and faithfulness are needed qualities that should be 'grown' in us. Welcome the Holy Spirit into your life and give Him the opportunity to produce the fruits. Fruit is not just for you to hold and say how wonderful it looks. Fruit is to be tasted. Those in the cults will see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you and will want to taste and see what it is.
Read vv 13-14 again. Here is a remarkable truth.
If you have believed and been saved it is because God chose you (vv 3-4),
Jesus redeemed you according to God's plan (vv 4-12), and the Holy Spirit
sealed you in Him as God's possession, guaranteeing your inheritance in
Christ (vv 13-14). Why shouldn't we expect to exercise gifts and produce
fruit according to the Spirit who gives them?