Living the Christian Life – Chapter 4: The Holy Spirit Gives Power to Live for God

In the Old Testament, the prophet Zechariah speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit to empower His people: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (4:6 ESV).

As human beings, our strength and resources are limited. But with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are able to accomplish the plans that God has for each and every life.

As we explained in chapter one, every person is created to do good works in order to serve God and show his love, grace, and mercy to other people. We can only accomplish the plan of God for our lives if we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus made this promise just before he ascended into heaven:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NASB).

The power of the Holy Spirit working in us enables us to be God’s witnesses on the earth.

1. The Holy Spirit gives us divine energy to complete His will (Colossians 1:29);
2. The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to share our faith with others (Acts 4:31, 2 Corinthians 3:12);
3. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts to be used to demonstrate God’s love and power to others (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).

Paul declares that the gift or “manifestation” of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer:

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there
are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. … But to each
one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the
common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NASB).

Paul speaks of many gifts that are available to the people of God through the working of the Holy Spirit. But then he points out that the “manifestation” or work of the Holy Spirit is given to every believer for “the common good.” So you can have faith that God has not only a calling or plan for your life, but that He will also equip you with His gifts so you can see that plan fulfilled.

In 1 Corinthians 14, the apostle Paul encourages believers to “eagerly desire” the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NASB).

God wants to give you the gifts He speaks of in the Bible in order to reach others with the Good News of salvation. But as Paul writes in this verse, operating in these special gifts should always be motivated by love for God and love for other people.