HOLY SPIRIT

In I Corinthians 2, the Apostle Paul presents a brief but powerful theology of the Holy Spirit.  The Trinity is one of the most complex parts of our faith to grasp and understand.  Paul does his level best to clarify some issues.  For the record, the Athanasian Creed makes clear what we believe as Christians:

"...we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal."

I know, kind of hard to read, having been written in the late fifth century.  But, if you read it, you likely got the idea.  We believe in One God who presents God's self in three Persons:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  These three Persons are One!  They are equal!  They had no beginning - wrap your mind around THAT!  They enjoy perfect unity and fellowship.  

Now, here's what Paul clarifies in this chapter:

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Let me try to put that in 21st century language:

When we speak of our spirit, we are speaking of the essence of ourselves including our inner thoughts that are rarely revealed to others.   God also has a Spirit - part of the Trinity - and this Spirit knows the inner thoughts of God!  Upon our salvation, God makes His Holy Spirit available to us!  How cool is THAT?  This Spirit helps us understand God's Word and how God works in our lives and in His world.  If you don't have this Spirit, you can't possibly understand the things of God!  

I've noticed over the years that people have a penchant for calling on God as "Our Heavenly Father" or "Lord Jesus" and many other similar forms.  But I rarely hear anyone call on the Holy Spirit directly.  Yet, this Spirit of Jesus is the Person of the Trinity who lives and resides within us!  It's not wrong to use the former addresses for God.  However, many of us may be guilty of neglecting the third member of the Trinity.  The One, who in some sense, is closest to us!  Hmmm....

Holy Spirit,

Forgive us for ignoring Your Holy Presence in our hearts and lives!  For whatever reasons, we are guilty of having ignored You, and we never meant to do that!  You are co-eternal with the Father and with Jesus!  You are the third Person of the Trinity!  If we have claimed Christ as our Lord, then You reside within us!  Hallelujah!  Glory to God!  Thank You for coming at Pentecost!  Thank You for the gifts You bring!  Thank You for Your constant presence and protection and guidance!  We love You and want the fullness of Your work to be made manifest in our lives!  Thank You for revealing God to us in such intimate ways!  Thank You for Your faithfulness!  

Help us to call on You and recognize Your work more consistently.  How could we ever live without Your power!  We give You a giant WOO HOO for all that You do for us day in and day out!  

In the name of the Father, Son and HOLY SPIRIT, we pray...Amen.