When I first began reading the Bible after I was saved, I discovered this verse:
“For God has unveiled them [all that God has planned for us, v. 9] and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].”
(1 Corinthians 2:10, AMP)
In the church I had been attending I don’t ever remember a message about the Holy Spirit – who He was and what He did. Granted He was acknowledged as part of the Triune God, but any understanding about the person of the Holy Spirit was not taught. Therefore, this verse captured my attention. [Certain words typically capture my attention and ‘all’ is one of them.]
If the Holy Spirit is this important, this powerful that He is able to search even the deep things of God, then this was not just important… it was essential. But, what does it mean to be led by the Holy Spirit. I had also discovered Galatians 5:18
“But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.”
Again a powerful statement about the person of the Holy Spirit. If led by Him then free from the law…?! In my world, this means that I need to start by learning the Who of the Holy Spirit. Jesus talks about Him in John 14:16-17 (AMP)
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.”
Helper, Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby – this is huge, dramatic, and what a gift for us. However, to increase our understanding, we should read further:
“And He [the Holy Spirit], when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; about righteousness [personal integrity and godly character], because I am going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.” (John 16:7-12, AMP)
In the Last Days, the Holy Spirit will no longer be on earth, His ministry here will end. The time of the wrath of God will begin.
“For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until He who now restrains it is taken out of the way.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:7, AMP)
I’m emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit and being led by Him. However, it’s one thing to say this, another thing to understand, and another to act in faith on it. Being led, in my world, goes beyond ‘surrendering’, it’s another action word. It’s doing what’s at our hand, our how we are being led, how we can bring hope to our world. Being led is confidence, is belief, is hope, is trust. Without those qualities being visible, we’re not following. We have to complete the act of being led by what we say and do. Remember that when you accepted Jesus as your Lord, while you were accepted ‘just as you were’, you also were expected to grow and become part of God’s army.
YOU have a place a part. Being led is acting on this. The Spirit is with us to enable and equip us… but God decided to work through us to touch lives so it is our responsibility and honor to act on this in the unique way we are formed, gifted, and growing. And as each of us does our part (Ephesians 4:16) the body does grow and sow, water, harvest. It starts with being led by the Spirit. These are the first steps.
