The Same Spirit: Living the Vibrant Holy Spirit-Filled LifeSample

Transformed by Faith, Fire, and Favor

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and ignite God’s power within us. Prior to His crucifixion, Jesus prepared His followers for this gift: “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” (John 14:16–17 niv). After Christ’s resurrection, He once again promised them this gift, “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5 nlt). Finally, just moments before His ascension, Jesus explained, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 nlt).

It’s no coincidence that the gift of the Holy Spirit appeared incendiary when it first descended upon believers. “Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:3–4 nlt). The early believers were clearly about to experience something transformative.

When you have Jesus, you are no longer who you were in the past and you cannot expect to act as you once did—you are a new creature in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the foundation for your transformation into Christ’s likeness.

In addition to anticipating the gift of the Spirit and receiving His indwelling presence at Pentecost, the early believers discovered that the Spirit’s impact changed the way they related to God and to everyone around them. They had to live out the answer to Paul’s rhetorical question in his letter to the Christians at Corinth: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 niv).

If we have invited God’s Spirit to dwell in us and have chosen to follow Jesus, then we are also compelled to answer this query for ourselves. Knowing that you possess power is not the same as accessing that power.

If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you, then what exactly does this mean? Jesus came back to life after the violent, brutal, torturous death He experienced, so you too can come back from anything. Anything. The same Spirit who brought Jesus out of the tomb has the power to bring you out of the darkest season and into the light, from death to life.

Dear God, thank You for the incredible gift of Your Holy Spirit! Help me grasp all the implications of having the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in me. I welcome Your power to help me overcome and lead me from death to life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.