Elevate to the Next Level: Living in the Holy Spirit “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV)
As we enter the final part of our 2024 vision, we look at the word Elevate—taking discipleship to the next level. Today’s focus is living as disciples in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s benediction to the Corinthians highlights “the communion of the Holy Spirit,” a phrase rooted in the Greek koinonia, meaning fellowship.
The question becomes: How well do we know the Holy Spirit? Not knowing about Him, but knowing Him personally. Many desire the experience of the Spirit without the relationship, yet the Spirit is grieved when we seek His gifts more than His friendship. We are called to know Him intimately—yada—as one knows a spouse.
Three Dimensions of Fellowship
Companionship Fellowship means sharing life together. Paul experienced ongoing communication with the Spirit: “The Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.” (Acts 20:22–23 NLT) This was a living, conversational relationship.
Partnership We work with the Holy Spirit. Paul said, “For we are God’s fellow workers.” (1 Corinthians 3:9 NKJV) Partnership means shared labor—like a healthy marriage—accomplishing more together than alone.
Intimacy James writes, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.” (James 4:5 NKJV) The Spirit longs intensely for us and desires exclusive fellowship, not divided affections.
Being Filled With the Spirit
Paul commands, “Do not get drunk on wine… Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18 NIV) He contrasts two controlling influences: alcohol alters behavior negatively; the Spirit transforms behavior positively—producing wisdom, joy, gratitude, and reverence.
This filling is a work of God, written in the passive voice in Greek. We cannot fill ourselves; we make ourselves available. The idea of “fillability” helps—like telling an attendant to “fill ’er up.” We come empty and willing. And God doesn’t merely fill; He “tops off” to overflowing.
F.B. Meyer compared the Spirit’s power to the third rail of an elevated train—always present, but only effective when contact is made. The issue is control: Who holds the controlling interest in our lives—worldly influences or the Holy Spirit?
Being filled doesn’t mean more of the Spirit; it means the Spirit has more of us. Alignment with God’s Word, will, and way is impossible through natural effort. Only the Spirit empowers true transformation.
Paul prayed that believers be “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16 NKJV) and reminded us that God works “according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) This power enables victory over sin and freedom from worldly enticements. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 NKJV) Walking in the Spirit is a moment‑by‑moment lifestyle.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit Himself is the gift. Jesus promised, “He will give you another Helper… the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16 NKJV) and taught that the Father gives the Spirit generously to those who ask. (Luke 11:13 NKJV) Peter declared, “You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV)
This gift comes in two stages:
1. The Spirit given at salvation After His resurrection, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22 NKJV) His breath—pneuma, ruach—made them new creations, fulfilling the call to be “born again.”
2. The Spirit given in power Jesus instructed them to wait for the Father’s promise: “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5 NKJV) This baptism is being endued—clothed—with power from on high (Luke 24:49 NKJV). It is immersion, equipping believers for mission.
Receiving Holy Spirit Power
Jesus gave two instructions:
Wait The disciples waited in unified prayer until the Spirit filled them. Waiting is active expectation. Isaiah promises renewed strength for those who wait on the Lord. (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
Ask Jesus said, “Ask… seek… knock.” (Luke 11:9–10 NKJV) These verbs imply continual action. We are always one ask away from fresh filling.
Conclusion
Let us ask the Lord to empower us with the Holy Spirit—without doubt, without hesitation. The Father desires to give the Spirit “without measure,” fully and completely. As believers, we must continually ask, seek, and knock for His fullness so we can elevate our walk, level up our discipleship, and live as the Spirit‑filled people Jesus calls us to be.
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