THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)

THE "LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE" refers to the nature of the life that is "in Christ Jesus." There is a certain manner in which the Holy Spirit works that liberates us from "the law of sin and death" – the tyranny, or dictatorship of sin and death that absolutely dominates all who are not in Christ. This freedom is characterized by a number of things that could not happen apart from the working of the Spirit. They are evidences of His activity – activity that is not possible independently of Him. Where these evidences seem to be present, yet remain unattended by holiness of life coupled with faith and love, mere pretense is seen. Where they are found in truth, the Holy Spirit has been working through the faith of the people, and to the glory of the Lord.

HERE ARE SOME of the exclusive workings of the Holy Spirit – workings that fall into the category of "the law of the Spirit of life." These are principles of spiritual life, and where they are found, "life" toward God is being made known. Where these evidences are not found, death in trespasses and sins dominates.

1. CONVICTION. The conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11).
2. TRUTH. Guiding into all truth John 16:13a).
3. INSIGHT. Showing us things to come (John 16:13b).
4. ENABLEMENT. Empowerment for laboring with God (Acts 1:8).
5. REVELATION. Reveal to us what is prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor 2:9-10).
6. CHRIST INDWELLING WITHIN. Strengthening the inward man, so Christ can dwell in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:16-17).
7. ABOUNDING HOPE. Enabling us to abound in hope (Rom 15:13).
8. WORKING WITHIN. Working righteousness, peace, and joy in the saints (Rom 14:17).
9. LEADING. Leading us in mortifying the deeds of the body (Rom 8:13-14).
10. INTERCESSION. Making intercession for us when we do not know what to pray for as we ought (Rom 8:26-27).
11. WAITING. Enabling us to wait for the hope of righteousness (Gal 5:5)
12. OBEDIENCE. Empowering us to obey the truth (1 Pet 1:2,22).
13. LOVE OF GOD. Shedding, or pouring out, the love of God abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5).
14. SANCTIFICATION. Sanctifying us for Divine acceptance (Rom 15:16).
15. CLEANSING. Washing, sanctifying, and justifying us (1 Cor 6:11).
16. GIFTS. Giving appropriate spiritual gifts to members of Christ's body (1 Cor 12:4-11).
17. CHANGE. Changing us from one stage of glory to another (2 Cor 3:18).
18. MAKING KNOWN. Revealing the mystery of God's purpose to the Apostles and Prophets (Eph 3:5).
19. TO KEEP. Giving us the ability to keep what has been given to us (2 Tim 1:14).
20. GODLINESS. Quickening our mortal bodies in order that we might live godly (Rom 8:11).
21. HIS BODY. Baptizing us into one body (1 Cor 12:3).
22. THE HEART. Inscribing the Divine nature upon our hearts, thereby causing us to be new creatures (2 Cor 3:3).
23. ACCESS. Giving us access to God (Eph 2:18).
24. RENEWAL. Renewing us (Tit 3:5).
25. SEALING. Sealing believers as belonging to God, and being the earnest of things to come (1 Cor 1:22).26. LIFE. Giving life to us (2 Cor 3:6).
27. SUBDUING FLESH. Leading believers in subduing the flesh (Gal 5:18).
28. FRUIT. Producing spiritual fruit in believers (Gal 5:22-23; Eph 5:9).
29. REAPING. Causing us to reap life everlasting (Gal 6:8).
30. UNITY. Producing unity among the saints (Eph 4:3).
31. WEAPONRY. Making the Word of God an effective weapon (Eph 6:17)

THESE ARE ALL TRAITS OF LIFE. They are what is involved in becoming, and remaining, reconciled to God. They are evidences of Divine acceptance, and proof that we are no longer dead in sin and alienated from the life of God. They confirm that Satan no longer has the dominance over us, else these could not be found in us. When we see these things, they become the root and cause of thanksgiving.

NONE OF THESE MARVELOUS WORKS are the result of our petitions. They are all the results of the Holy Spirit's work. If we do not quench or grieve the Holy Spirit, these works will be done by Him to the glory of God, and through the Lord Jesus Christ. If these are not being done in us, it is owing to some obstacle – a sin or a weight that so easily besets (Heb 12:1). It is not possible for the connection between us and God to be cleared, and yet these ministries not be performed.

– Given O. Blakely