The Holy Spirit Explained - Part I预览

Recognizing the Holy Spirit’s Sustaining Work

As we go about our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the countless ways in which God’s Spirit is actively at work in the world. The simple blessings that sustain us each day are not just random occurrences; they are manifestations of God’s ongoing care and the Holy Spirit’s active role in Creation.

From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit has been at work. In Genesis, we see the Holy Spirit active as God created the Heavens and the Earth. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—was fully engaged in the work of Creation. This divine involvement didn’t stop there. The Spirit continues to sustain the world, ensuring that all Creation functions according to God's Will.

Psalm 104 vividly describes God’s sustaining work, highlighting the dependence of all living things on God's Provision. The Holy Spirit, as part of the Trinity, is actively involved in this ongoing process, maintaining the order and life that God has established.

But the Spirit’s Work extends beyond the physical realm. He is also deeply involved in what we might call “Common Grace”—the Grace that God extends to all humanity, not just to believers. This includes giving light to the conscience, which allows even those who do not know God personally to discern right from wrong. Romans 2:14-15 acknowledges that people can have a sense of God’s existence without honoring Him. This innate understanding comes from the Holy Spirit’s influence on the human heart and mind.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit restrains evil in the world. If people were allowed to act out the full extent of their sinful nature, the world would descend into chaos. Even those who have not yet come to faith in Christ can exhibit a sense of morality—refusing to murder, steal, or commit adultery—because of the Spirit’s Work in restraining their sinful impulses.

This Restraint is not a passive influence. It is an active Work of God, often carried out through institutions like the Church and government. The Church serves as the “Salt of the Earth” (Matthew 5:13), preserving moral order and holding back decay by proclaiming the Truth. Similarly, governments, when they function justly, act as agents of God's Wrath against evil (Romans 13:4).

Consider the ways in which the Holy Spirit is at work in your life and the world around you. Have you become more aware of His Presence? Let that awareness shape your gratitude and your actions. Start by acknowledging how the Spirit sustains and guides you toward Righteousness.