How does the power of the Holy Spirit manifest in Christians, as opposed to non-Christians who don't have access to this power?
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This seems to be a variety of a question often asked by atheists, "What is a good thing that only people who believe in God can do?"
Although not without its own legitimate purpose, I think the question is somewhat misguided given the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:23-30). The Church may declare certain beliefs orthodox and certain behaviors 'Christ-like', but it will ultimately be God who knows the heart of all humanity.
In this age, people claiming to be Spirit-filled Christians are capable of unimaginable good, as well as unspeakable evil. A better and more helpful question would be whether people who come to Christ and are filled by the Spirit, experience a genuinely miraculous change. I think there is ample evidence of this.
Trust in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 2:6-10 describes the mystery that is Christ's incarnation and consequently the death and resurrection of the co-equal Son of God. As a Gen-Z Christian who often struggles with doubts, I do not think that apart from the Spirit's work in my heart and mind that I could genuinely believe and find comfort in the idea that the infinite God took on finite flesh.
Deeds of power. James 5:15 instructs sick believers to ask for prayer from Elders (Spirit-filled, mature believers). Both in Biblical times and today, healings in the name of Jesus, though in my experience uncommon and never guaranteed by human confidence/faith, do occur.
Change of character. Anyone is capable of turning their life around given the right conditions, however putting your faith in Jesus seems to be an unusually common and effective way for people in my life and around the world, to turn their lives around. Lee Strobel provides a sampling of such stories.
Upvote:1
First of all the Holy Spirit acts in simple terms a barrier towards our sin.
When we sin the Holy Spirit dwindles in us. However when we seek God through reading his Word, Worship and fellowship with other Christians, He grows within us.
The first and biggest difference will be (when we are saved) is that we no longer thirst for sin. Our flesh no longer dominates us - although we are still able to sin, we no longer have that inclination to do so.
On the contrary we seek righteousness, peace, joy & love.
Short answer, but I hope this helps you to grasp the understanding on a practical level.
May the Love, Joy & Peace of Christ Jesus always be with you!
Upvote:2
The Holy Spirit only has access to Christians when they submit their will to Jesus as Lord of their lives. Before this they are in no different position than are unbelievers. They may profess to believe the Bible and may sound religious even, but until you give up your will and thus submit to be ruled by Jesus, there is no power of any sorts for you, you are just an ordinary sinner.
Now, submitting your will is a day to day moment by moment thing not a once saved always saved thing as many mistake it to be. Don't believe me? Just go look at all the examples in the Bible of people who made shipwreck of their faith (Cain, king Saul, Esau, many of the ungodly kings of Israel, Judas, Ananias and Sapphira, etc.). There is a reason why the Bible says that only those who endure to the end will be saved (Matt. 24:13). Endure what till the end? The trial of their faith/trust in God.
King Saul is a good example of a person that started off with the Holy Spirit and His power but ended with with the unholy spirit and death (witch of Endor).
So how does the HS then manifest His power in us as opposed to non-Christians? He leads us to entire renunciation of self and total dependence on Christ for both justification and sanctification.
I found the following paragraph helpful:
The light shining from the cross reveals the love of God. His love is drawing us to Himself. If we do not resist this drawing, we shall be led to the foot of the cross in repentance for the sins that have crucified the Saviour. Then the Spirit of God through faith produces a new life in the soul. The thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to the will of Christ. The heart, the mind, are created anew in the image of Him who works in us to subdue all things to Himself. Then the law of God is written in the mind and heart, and we can say with Christ, "I delight to do Thy will, O my God." Psalm 40:8. The Desire of Ages p.175. Ellen G. White.
So taking John 12:32 into consideration also, the HS manifests His power in our lives firstly to draw us to the foot of the cross in repentance. What is repentance other than the surrender of our will to God? When we repent of sin we also surrender our will to God.
Paul had the exact same experience on his way to Damascus. When he surrendered his will to God he asked Him, What do You want me to do? The same surrender is heard in the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane when He says, Not my will be done but Yours.
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