Feb 28

Why has God given us the Holy Spirit? We are told that it is so that "we may understand what God has freely given us" (1 Cor. 2:12).

One of the problems God has in dealing with us as limited human beings is that he is so much higher than us that we simply cannot fathom who he is and how great he is. He must have a way to bridge this gap or else what good does it do for him to shower down upon us all the good gifts he gives us? What good does it do to give a gift to a small child who does not appreciate it? He cannot make use of it or give proper thanks to the giver.

So God gives to us his Holy Spirit, who alone has the power to make us aware of all the great goodness God has bestowed upon us in Christ. We need the Holy Spirit to appreciate God and his goodness. We are given the Holy Spirit so that we can "understand what God has freely given us."

We see here, therefore, the absolute impossibility of any of the world's religions understanding the true nature of God. It is possible to do this only through his own Spirit and God gives that Spirit only through his Son Jesus Christ.

Scripture for today: 1 Cor. 2:12
Thought for today: I can understand God only through the Holy Spirit and appreciate his gifts only through this same Spirit.
Prayer for today: Thank you, Father, for giving me your Holy Spirit in your Son Jesus Christ.

FEB 28