Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. I’ve learned to work backwards sometimes to understand the scripture from a different angle. The Holy Spirit poured into our hearts the love of God which produced hope (hope that destroys shame), which came because of our renewed character that has been planted deep with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Our character is formed and refined into maturity because of our endurance, consistency, and suffering. This allows us to rejoice in sufferings knowing the work the Holy Spirit will do within us. We also rejoice in the glory of God and His grace He has bestowed upon us — in which He has implanted His faith within us when we surrendered our life to Him. We then can stand in joy and peace knowing that the faith He has given to us will be made manifest in our lives through our actions and words. And that Jesus WILL be with us ALWAYS!
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b
This ‘walk’ with Him will lead you into places and situations you have never dreamed of and will change you in ways you never thought possible. The work of the Holy Spirit in your life will be deep and transformative IF you allow Him to go deep into your soul and work on your character, by pulling out the roots of your iniquity. These roots often revolve usually around the big three, pride, fear, and lust. But this work of His will never be done without your approval and you asking Him to do it. He gently waits for your decision to yield to His truth to accept and agree with Him. In humility we then realize we need His help to change us in ways we cannot do ourselves. We must learn to recognize His Voice within us and begin to accept His words to our hearts, souls, and minds. Do you know He often brings scripture to your mind to alert you to His wishes for you? Do you know He uses the Word to penetrate deeply into your soul? That the Truth would expose the lies you have believed from the enemies of God. These agreements with those lies keep you shackled and stuck from believing the freedom He has so costly provided to you.
The Bible is just the ‘framework’ of the living epistle He is creating you to be. The Holy Spirit provides all of the ‘fill’ over all the framing (scripture) of your life. Your foundation is built upon the Rhema faith (from the Word He spoke directly to you) given to you by God. Jesus being the very cornerstone of EVERY true spiritual foundation being built. Without Jesus nothing of eternal value can be built. Jesus whether you know it or not — is the friend EVERYONE needs. Have you confessed your need of Him… today?
Religion is an empty shell of manmade rituals, but through Jesus our life is remade into His likeness and we are given eternal reward through His sacrifice and price that He paid for us. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we now live in Him. No longer for our wants but His. No longer our goals but His. No longer our pursuits but His. No longer our time but His. Do we allow the Holy Spirit to take us into deep spiritual adventures? Within our own souls?
The more you surrender to Him the more you learn through experience to trust Him. He is faithful. He knows you better than you know yourself. How? He is One with your Creator. Trust Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to do the work He wants to within you. Agree with the Holy Spirit with the deep work He wants to do in your soul and heart. Are you brave? Ask the Holy Spirit to do that deep work in your soul. Ask the Holy Spirit to pour more of the love of God over you, in you, and through you. Ask Him to immerse you in His love.