JESUS said: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). One reason Christ came to earth was to teach humanity the way to world peace, happiness and prosperity.
But more importantly, Jesus Christ came to reveal the way to receive God's gift of eternal life. He came to make the precious gift of the Holy Spirit available to those whom God would call to repentance.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said,” proclaimed Jesus, “out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive)" (John 7:38-39).
Jesus taught that unless we receive the Spirit of God, we can never enter the Kingdom of God.
Why?
Because it is only through God's Spirit that we can develop the perfect, holy and righteous character of God in this life, and be resurrected to glorious eternal life in God's Family at Christ's return!
After teaching His disciples for three and one-half years, Jesus prepared to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Soon He would be crucified, and after three days and three nights in the grave, He would be resurrected to sit at the right hand of His Father in heaven. His apostles would then continue the work He had personally begun while on earth.
These men would have to carry an unpopular Gospel to a hostile world. They would have to face years of persecution, ridicule and finally, for most, even martyrdom! The apostles would need strength, encouragement and wisdom. They would need the love, patience and endurance to follow in Christ's steps and carry out His commission to preach the Gospel He proclaimed.
The apostles would also need to recall the lessons taught to them by Christ during His earthly ministry. As generally “unlearned” men, they needed wisdom to face the philosophers, scholars and intellectuals of their day. They needed faith and courage to confront the seething hostility of religious leaders who would attempt to stamp out the Church of God.
Jesus therefore said to them shortly before His trial and crucifixion: “I am not going to leave you alone in the world – I am coming to you” (John 14:18, Phillips). Christ would continue to teach and support the apostles, but not in the flesh. His Father in heaven would miraculously empower them in their efforts to spread the true Gospel after Christ returned to heaven.
Christ told His apostles that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them. It would “bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26, RSV). He said the Holy Spirit would impart the power they needed to be His witnesses to the world (Acts 1:8).
The record of the New Testament shows this is precisely what happened. The apostles boldly proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world. Great miracles were performed through the power of the Holy Spirit. And these men recalled and understood the teachings of their Savior, and were inspired by God's Spirit to write the New Testament Scriptures!
Christ did not limit the help of the Holy Spirit to the apostles alone. “Repent,” said the Apostle Peter to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, “and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, RSV).
You can have the power that will enable you to live the way of life leading to peace, happiness and eternal life in God's Kingdom. But this power can come only from above – from God in heaven – not from within you or from the around.
The Apostle James said: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father” (Jas. 1:17). God stands ready to impart spiritual strength and understanding through the gift of His Holy Spirit – if we will only comply with the conditions outlined in His Word.
The Holy Spirit is indeed the key to the spiritual blessings of God. It is the only ingredient that will bring us God's love, joy and peace in this life and for all eternity.
Let's begin to understand much more about why we need the Holy Spirit in our lives today
