The term “in the Spirit” is used throughout the New Testament referring to the Holy Spirit. What does this term mean? In order for us to live in the Spirit, we need to have a relationship with the Spirit. As the church, we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit (Romans 8:9). If indeed the Spirit dwells in us, we live in the Spirit. We must ask ourselves, “is the Spirit really dwelling in us?”
Throughout the Old Testament, we see various examples where the Spirit was upon people for specific assignments (Genesis 41:8, Numbers 27:18, Daniel 4:8, 5:11-14). There wasn’t the limitless Spirit of God seen in the lives of the people as it was in the New Testament. However, it was always God’s desire to know His people personally and intimately. He had a plan to give man an opportunity to have full access to His Spirit (Luke 24:49). God had a promise.
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. John 14:16 (NKJV)
The prayer of Jesus was that the other Helper, the Holy Spirit would come and abide with us forever. At the death and resurrection of Jesus, the veil was removed and the Holy Spirit came. We see the move of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit is not a force, a wind or a feeling. He is a person with a personality.
The Holy Spirit was very active from the beginning of creation. He convicts us of sin, sanctifies us, gives us spiritual truth and glorifies Jesus. Everything that the Holy Spirit does, points us to Jesus so that the Son would be glorified and exalted. The Holy Spirit endows the believer with power and boldness to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We can therefore come to the conclusion that the Holy Spirit is a necessary component for this Christian life. We must treasure Him as He abides in us. When someone abides with their spouse, they treasure, cherish and appreciate them. Abiding requires commitment. Therefore, we must walk with the Holy Spirit.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are the very housing and tabernacle where God resides. Wherever we go, the Holy Spirit goes with us. God said He will never leave or forsake us. He will not leave us as orphans but He will come to us. He will abide. It was the prayer of Apostle Paul for us to have communion with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). We must commune with Him and be participants of what He desires. The Holy Spirit gives us joy, love and peace. He is a friend and companion who wants to know us intimately.
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:24 (NKJV)
A life that is lived in the Spirit is one that desires holiness, fellowship and experiences with God. The Holy Spirit moves in our lives in a number of ways and we have to be opened and receptive to Him.
The Holy Spirit is like the icing on a cake. Normally there is an option for cake not to have icing. However, a cake without icing is usually incomplete. Without the Holy Spirit, our lives are incomplete and lacking. Icing adds flavour to the cake. In this same way, the Holy Spirit brings flavour to our lives. Without Him, we become flavorless. When a dish has flavour, we always want more. We yearn for it. Paul’s speech and preaching was not filled with persuasive words but the flavour of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4). We need the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Icing adds moisture to the cake. When the Holy Spirit is here, there is never a dull and dry moment. We must continually commune and abide with Him. There are environments where we drained. We become dry and therefore we must be aware of our environments and the company that we are with. The Holy Spirit refreshes and rejuvenates us. There is a river that never runs dry (Isaiah 41:17-18, John 7:37-39).
Icing adds decoration to the cake. When the Holy Spirit lives is us, the gospel becomes attractive to those that we come into contact with. On the day of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit drew attention from the people who were around the upper room (Acts 2).
For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring. Isaiah 44:3 (NKJV)
