The Glorious Church Made Holy by the Holy Spirit

(Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV) “... Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

God’s word says here that the glorious church—the pure bride for Jesus and for which he is returning—will be “holy.” This is only possible because this blemish-free church will be fully surrendered to, and led by, the “Holy” Spirit. Peter underlined God’s promise to fill with the Holy Spirit those who believe in Jesus:

(Acts 2:38-39 MKJV) Then Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

God has made the Holy Spirit available to all who surrender to Jesus and who are committed to following him. Although the “initial evidence” of being baptised in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues, the main evidence of being filled with, and led by, the “Holy” Spirit is holiness. Holiness means not only having the power to live free of sin, but having the power to be totally dedicated to God’s purposes and fulfil them.

The Holy Spirit is a person of love with whom we have relationship. When Jesus promised his coming, he said he would be a “Comforter” who would:

• Be our teacher, enabling us to remember all things that Jesus said (John 14:26)
• Guide us into all truth (John 16:13)
• Show us things to come (John 16:13)
• Be the anointing abiding within us (1 John 2:27)
• Clothe us with his power (Luke 24:49)
• Help us pray, etc. (Rom 8:26)
• Be another comforter / helper as Jesus had been to the original twelve disciples
• Provide our access to the Father (Eph. 2:18)

Jesus also said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” (Acts 1:8).

The glorious church will be a church full of, led by, and clothed in the power of the Holy Spirit. Holiness and power will go hand in hand; the fruit of the spirit combined with the gifts of the spirit will enable the church to fulfil her commission as she prepares to meet her bridegroom.

When we have the Holy Spirit in our lives, our highest priority is to build an intimate, transparent relationship of love with him. He is all-powerful, but he is symbolized by a “dove”; God’s Holy Spirit is open-heartedly relational—making him sensitive to our thoughts, words and actions. Our paramount responsibility is to walk with him in reverent respect, honour, trust, and agreement.

(2 Corinthians 13:14 emtv) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Our meetings are to be an amalgamation of the intimacy and integrity of our individual fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Our objective is to honour and yield to him as he brings glory to Jesus.

As we mature into the glorious church for which Jesus is returning, let’s cling to the vision to:

• Be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led through intimate communion with the Holy Spirit
• Walk in the spirit—following his lead in line with God’s word
• Release the anointing from within
• Create an environment the Holy Spirit enjoys and where He can move freely
• Manifest the fruit of the spirit
• Manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit
• Take on his character of holiness

Today, I encourage you to get to know this wonderful divine person that God has placed in you. Be so yielded to him in sensitive relationship—walking in agreement with and submission to him—that he is pleased and confident to manifest his infinite holy power around and through you.