"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."
1 Corinthians 2:12
Everything we know about our union with Christ is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher. He opens our eyes to see things we cannot see. He unveils truths hidden in the work of redemption that we could not know. Our limited abilities keep us on a very shallow level until we make the connection with the Great Teacher, then everything changes.
Jesus said, "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7). The word expedient means something that is advantageous or profitable to us. It is to our advantage that Jesus went away. For in going, he ascended up to the right hand of the throne of God. His first act as advocate was to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. He is not only with us, but he is now in us. Our spiritual life is more tied to the person of the Holy Spirit than anyone of us might realize. Paul said, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Christ dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom. 8:9). Our very life in God is of the substance of the Spirit of Christ. It is his very presence that sustains us. We are only Christian because his indwelling presence has made us one with Him. That is why Paul also said, "...it is no longer I that liveth, but Christ that liveth in me" (Gal. 2:20). The Spirit of Christ is the person of the Holy Ghost. Without him, we wouldn't even know who Christ is!
The purpose, of course, for him living in us is to bring us into a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His entire aim is to build into us the nature of God...to acquaint us with the life of God, and to enable us to live a spiritual life. This word "spiritual" is very fascinating. The Greek word is PNEUMATIKOS. It is a word that was never used until after Pentecost. It connotes the idea of things invisible, yet filled with power. The very fact that it is a Post-Pentecost word, characterizes the true nature of it. To be spiritual, or to live a spiritual life, requires the personal work of the Holy Spirit. So, when we use this word "spiritual," we have to understand that it deals with things pertaining to and of the Holy Ghost. If you rule him out, you have no access to spiritual things, and therefore, CANNOT live a conscious spiritual life (1 Cor. 2:12-13).
Jesus knew we had to have him. That is why he commanded his disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father. It was never and has never, been part of our Christian faith to live outside the realm of a conscious, living, cooperative, union with the Holy Spirit. He is more than just our Helper. He is like the air we breathe. He is the life-force that carries us and empowers us. How inconsequential our life would be if he had not come! Oh, thank God for the Holy Ghost!
Listen to Paul's opening words in his letter to the Ephesians: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). Here we find this word PNEUMATIKOS again. And what we can determine from its use is that every blessing that we have been blessed with involves the Holy Spirit. In fact, I'll go as far as to say that there are no heavenly blessings outside the operation of the heavenly agency of the Holy Spirit. If you are seeking to be blessed, then look down on the inside and connect with the one who is the Blesser!
Peter wrote, in his second epistle, and said, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:3). In other words, we are talking about PNEUMATIKOS. This power comes from him. This divine knowledge comes from him, and all that pertain to life and godliness comes from him. He brings us into a realm where spiritual things are real, and accessible! So, whenever you hear this word "spiritual" always remember what is behind it! And if you do not see the Holy Ghost in it or sense his presence, then know it cannot be spiritual. For only through the power of the great and mighty Holy Spirit can we enter in and live a spiritual life!
