The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. | 1 Peter 4.7-11
As we come to the conclusion of our Holy Spirit Series and prepare for 1 Peter, it is important to reflect on the main points. What do we need to remember as we continue to grow in our understanding of the Spirit?
THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO HELP US BECOME OTHER-FOCUSED
The Spirit regenerates us, sanctifies us, and empowers us so that we no longer think about us. We are naturally concerned about ourselves above all else; the Spirit works to convict us, make us humble, and gives us the ability to understand God’ glory, so that we can overcome this self-obsession. He does this because this is what we were created for. We are ultimately more satisfied and fulfilled when we are other-focused; which is why His law calls us to love God and love others. The Spirit helps us to see this.
THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN BECAUSE WE ARE WEAK
If we could accomplish the things God calls us to: faith, evangelism, loving, without the Spirit, then God would not have sent Him. The fact that the Spirit is part of the plan presupposes that we can not play our role without help. This builds into us a humility toward our own ‘works’ and a confidence in the face of our limitations. Who knew being weak could make us strong? By accepting our weakness, we can accept the help we need and act where we may otherwise be afraid to. Lean into the Spirit!
THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO HELP US LOVE OTHERS
What is this strength for? What are the actions the Spirit equips us for? The outward manifestation of the Spirit in us is in how we care for and serve others. The spiritual gifts are applied in community. How do we know if a place is ‘spirit-filled?’ Quite simply: are the people focused on the needs of one another and filling them for the sake of glorifying God? That is the Spirit’s work and what He equips us to do.
THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN BECAUSE GOD LOVES US
The Spirit is working in His people to create a serving community, through this, to express the love of God through His people. To put it simply, it is by the love of the Christian community that the world (and ourselves) will know and understand the love of God. We have to believe this, live it, and then keep living it when it isn’t easy.
THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN SO THAT WE MAY PERSEVERE
When it isn’t easy, it is the Spirit who carries us through. When we doubt and fear; when we are full of shame and anger, the Spirit does the work of bringing us back. The Spirit is not some flimsy, ever-changing deity who acts in confusing ways to keep us on our toes. He is God; the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is given to us so that we can have an immovable anchor in the midst of the storm we call life – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.