THE FUNDAMENTAL FUNCTIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Besides the generally emphasized and much discussed fruit and the gifts of the
Holy Spirit, there are more fundamental and indispensable functions of the
Holy Spirit. There are indispensable in the sense that without the Holy Spirit we
cannot move on and advance in our faith walk.

These more fundamental functions of the Holy Spirit, are often overlooked or
all together forgotten. However, they ensure the certainty of the believer’s
faith and assurance of salvation unto eternity by their role in our everyday life.

We must understand that what we are talking about here concerns the believer
not ‘the-yet-to-believe’. Discussing life in the spirit we are looking at how the
Holy Spirit helps the believe give direction and meaning to his/her life. To help
us have a clear and deeper understanding of this are the following portions of
the Holy Scripture:

1. Romans 8: 1-17
2. Galatians 5: 16-21
3. Deuteronomy 8: 1-10

From the above verses we can extrapolate that it one thing to be saved, and
another thing to live successful Christian life temporally and eternally. The
ability to win in life, to please God through righteous living and many more are
some of the often forgotten functions of the Holy Spirit.

We are in a journey. Our destination is the promise land, the place of rest, the
realm fulfilment, the kingdom of God likened to heavenly realm. To access this
realm and experience same, there is the need to follow the rules and patterns
and the principles in observant obedience. Deuteronomy 8:1 says; All the
commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that

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ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord
swore unto your father’s.

We all know that in spite of these warnings the children of Israel failed to
observe and do these commandments. For a simple reason, they lacked the
ability to keep it, so they needed help which they never had as the Holy Spirit
has not been given because Christ had neither come nor glorified. So the Holy
Spirit has not been given.

These are some of the helps we get from the Holy Spirit in everyday life as seen
from Romans 8:

✓ He directs our Spiritual walk to put us out of all forms of

condemnation. (v.1)
✓ He takes over our hearts and fills our minds with righteous
thoughts, separating us from sin and death. (v.2,4)
✓ He changes our priorities from carnal to spiritual, from temporal
to eternal. (v.5) Where do you lay your treasure? There your
thoughts will be also. Are spiritually or carnally minded? We must
not be ignorant of the disagreement that exists. (Gal.5:19-21). To
whom do you yield? (Rom.6:16)
✓ He secures our minds from sinful nature which leads to death, and
takes control of our minds which leads to life and peace. (v.6)
Note, man is often the prisoner of his own lust (thought) James
1:14-15.
✓ He initiates and helps us maintains our friendly relationship with
God. (v.7-8) He separates us from the world and it’s influences
(Jam.4:4; 1John2:15-16)

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To be Continued...........