“…And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” – 1 John 3:24

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:24-4:3; Romans 8:1-17

The Holy Spirit is a blessed gift given to all who truly believe on the Son of God.  It is the Spirit who unites us to Christ, sanctifies us in Christ, illuminates us in the things of Christ, and is the guarantor of our inheritance in heaven.  There is an intimate connection between the finished work of the Lord and the person of the Holy Spirit.  Paul summarizes this reality in Romans 8:9 when he says, “Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Without the work of the Spirit, Christ is not ours and fellowship with God is impossible.

Focusing on our theme of fellowship with God, John is emphasizing a very specific work of the Holy Spirit.  He states that we know that Christ abides in us by the work of the Holy Spirit.  It is by the work of the Spirit within a believer that we know that we are adopted children.  It is by the Spirit that our spirits can cry out in the most intimate way “Abba Father”.  Without the constant work of the Holy Spirit, we would not be able to have fellowship with God.  But as we keep in step with the Spirit and His ministry within us, we will enjoy fellowship with God as we walk in the light of Jesus Christ.  If we are listening to the Spirit carefully, we will be keeping our souls zeroed in on our glorious Redeemer.  Are you listening?

Suggestions for prayer

Thank God for the precious gift of His Spirit.  Pray that God would work by His Spirit making Christ precious to you that you might enjoy fellowship with Him today.

Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.