Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John7:38). Then in verse thirty-nine he adds, "(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified)." This is extremely important to understand. The Holy Spirit was very much a part of creation and was deeply involved in the Old Testament, and yet, it is stated right here that he hadn't been given until after Jesus was glorified.
His ministry was limited until redemption was completed. When Jesus ascended up on high, he entered into three vital activities that solidified the plan of redemption. One, he offered his blood upon the heavenly Holy of holies (Heb. 9:14, 24); two, he was exalted to the right hand of the Father and made to be Lord over the Church (Heb. 3:1; Eph 1:22); and three, he received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33). Each one was vital to the present day ministry of the Holy Ghost. First of all, he could not come to abide in us until the sin issue was resolved. When Christ entered into the heavenly Holy of holies for us, the blood made way for the Eternal Spirit to purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Peter said it this way: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..." (1 Pet. 1:2). The fact that Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father means he has been exalted. His exaltation means he has been given all authority both in heaven and in earth. What he accomplished in his death affords us the enabling power invested in the authority of his Name. Philippians two says, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name..." (Phil 2:9). Jesus himself said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26). The very use of his Name has been conferred upon us through the Holy Ghost. And then of course, we know that the Holy Spirit himself swept in like a mighty wind and sat upon those whom the promise was given. We find this in Acts chapter two.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus is activated in us the moment we receive Christ as our Savior and Lord. There is no force great enough to stop this law from taking effect. The efficacy of the Blood, the power of the Name, and the presence of the Holy Spirit is far greater than any law of sin and death. Not only are these the elements that make up this law, but they are also what enforce this law. Whenever and whatever the enemy tries to do to kill, steal, and destroy, Jesus said it was the very life of God that would empower us to rise above every diabolic scheme, every strategy, and every attempt made against us. Romans five says, "For if by one man's offense (Adam) death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in "LIFE" by one, Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:17). That is the power behind this law!
The great Holy Spirit came and took his place in the Church. He is here, and we must welcome him to do what he came to do. There are two very important things that this law has enacted. One, when Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father, he stepped into his present day ministry as the Head of the Church. And two, when the Holy Spirit came and sat upon each of them in that Upper Room, he entered into his present day ministry as Chief Executor over the affairs of the Church. Just as Jesus sat down, the Holy Spirit also sat down. He is now sitting in his office by abiding in us. It is time we apply this law to every area of our life and give the Holy Spirit the right and the power to do his job as he was sent to do!
