Tim Keller | December 10, 1989
In this series on Christian growth, we’re going to talk about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. One of the main differences between Christianity and moral religion in general is that Christians believe only through the influence of the Holy Spirit are we able and enabled to do anything good. Only through the Holy Spirit can we grow. It’s through the Spirit’s work anything gets accomplished in our lives, not through our own effort.
If we come to faith in Christ, come to God through Christ, then the Spirit of God comes in, and we can know God personally through the Spirit. Through the Spirit’s influence in our lives, we can actually experience God, not just know about him and not just know what he requires of us, but actually experience him.
The Holy Spirit plays a key part in helping a Christian grow and do good things. The idea of being filled with the Spirit can be confusing because people think about it differently, but you might think of it like how someone acts when they’ve had too much to drink or are in love. Having the Spirit inside you is important when you face tough times, need to see the truth, or want to improve your relationships.
This Month's Featured Book
In Shaped by the Gospel, Dr. Keller shows how gospel-centered ministry is more theologically driven than program-driven. As you read, you’ll discover how reflecting on the essence, the truths, and the patterns of the gospel leads to renewal in your lives, churches and ministries.