Today's lesson is exciting! We will briefly discuss what it means that the Holy Spirit can and does live inside of you and me! Remember that the Holy Spirit is God and that He is sent to us by Jesus from the Father. The reality that He actually lives inside of us and indwells us permanently with His holy Person, presence, and power should astound us every day of our lives!
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as indwelling believers immediately upon their conversion or salvation. This is often associated with the moment they place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Several passages support this understanding:
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” -Acts 2:38
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” -Ephesians 1:13-14
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” -Romans 8:9
These passages indicate that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is simultaneous with faith in Christ, marking believers as God's possession and empowering them for the Christian life.
The Holy Spirit's presence brings many benefits to our lives:
According to the New Testament, the Holy Spirit does not ever leave a true believer. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is described as a permanent seal and guarantee of a believer's salvation and inheritance in Christ. Here are some key passages that support this view:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” -Ephesians 4:30
“‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.’” -John 14:16-17
These passages emphasize the permanence of the Holy Spirit's presence in the life of a true believer. The sealing by the Holy Spirit is an assurance of God's ongoing work in our lives and the promise of our final redemption.
If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are assured by the verses above that the Holy Spirit dwells in you permanently along with His supernatural and divine presence and power, filling you with His manifold blessings, gifts, fruits, and empowerment.
What do you do if you are unsure of your own salvation and, therefore, unsure as to whether the Holy Spirit dwells in your life? If that's you, please take a few minutes to read this simple explanation as to how to be certain that you have been forgiven by God, written by my dear friend, John Maisel.
Pray with me:
Dear Jesus, please help me to know You as my Savior so that I am assured that Your Holy Spirit lives in me. God, I admit that l am a sinner and understand that my sin separates me from You. I believe that Jesus, being God, paid the penalty for all my sins when He died on the cross and rose from the dead. Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for me. I ask You to forgive me of my sins. I repent of my ways and want to change the direction of my life. And now, Lord Jesus, I open the door of my life and ask You to come into my life as Savior and Lord. I trust You alone for the forgiveness of my sins and the free gift of eternal life. Amen.