The Truth About Receiving God’s Holy Spirit
Many believe that the Holy Spirit is some weird way of behaving in Christians. The truth on how to receive the Holy Spirit is contrary to what we may have seen or heard about. It comes through “love” and “obedience to God’s word.” The passages of scripture below taken from the “Good News Translation” (GNT) explain. In short, if we love Jesus, we will obey and if we obey; and if we obey, He promises to send us a helper, the Holy Spirit.
Love is the beginning of miracles. No miracles can be done without it. It is important that we learn how to love if we want to see change happen in us and around us. Love can be “seemingly uncomfortable,” but its results are immediate. Our belief that love is difficult is a deception of the enemy. Love is doing. It is not forceful, deceitful, or manipulative. Love considers others first and is genuine with no hidden agendas. Lastly, love is not something you feel. It is something you do.
John Chapter 14:
12 I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do – yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father’s glory will be shown through the Son. 14 If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
15 If you love me, you will obey my commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you.
21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.
22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said,
“Lord, how can it be that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered him, Those who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and my Father and I will come to them and live with them. 24 Those who do not love me do not obey my teaching. And the teaching you have heard is not mine, but comes from the Father, who sent me.
The Holy Spirit: Our Teacher, Helper and Comforter
26 The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.
27 Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.
John Chapter 15:
In verses 1 – 6, Jesus uses a tree(vine) and fruit relationship as an analogy to our relationship with him. Fruit not connected to a tree eventually dies. Branches that are cut off a tree are used as wood for fire. It is burned up and consumed. If we are disconnected from Jesus, we die… we are consumed by fire.
Answered Prayer By Abiding in Him
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. 8 My Father’s glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.
How to Love
9 I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
Remaining in His Love Gives You Complete Joy
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
This is the truth about how to receive the Holy Spirit. It is not some ritual you have to go through. It isn’t wrong if people lead you and guide you through the process, either. However, it really is as easy as following God’s word about obeying and walking in love to receive the Holy Spirit.
