The Holy Spirit is Essential to Conversion and the Christian Life

Romans 8 is the climax of Paul’s theology of what it means to be saved (i.e., soteriology). Romans 8 is also the famous “Holy Spirit” passage. This means that the Holy Spirit in believers is absolutely essential to Christianity. 

If this is the case, why is there a tendency in some Christian traditions to not talk much about the Holy Spirit? 

Often times we neglect the Holy Spirit. Often this is the result of trying to stay away from traditions that have abused the sign gifts of the Sprit (e.g., healing, words of prophecy, tongues, etc.). 

Sometimes we neglect the Holy Spirit because we may be afraid of seeming “weird” to others. This happened to Christians on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when onlookers thought they were drunk because they were speaking in tongues! 

Jesus teaches Nicodemus that the Holy Spirit, like wind, is unpredictable. Maybe we neglect the Spirit because we’re afraid of where he may lead us.

Nonetheless, when we turn to give attention to the Holy Spirit, we must be careful not to give too much attention to the Spirit because Jesus is the incarnate deity. One of the major works of the Holy Spirit is to make Jesus real in the world. Jesus is the portrait of God and the Holy Spirit is the spotlight on that portrait.

The Holy Spirit is self-effacing, meaning that he likes to be in the background while Jesus is front and center. 

This means that when we stop to reflect on the Holy Spirit, we have to make sure that we’re always pointing—ultimately—to Jesus.

The Symbols of the Holy Spirit: Fire

One way into understanding the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is looking at the symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. One of those symbols is fire.

We see the Holy Spirit as fire in the burning bush, in the tabernacle, and at Pentecost. But in what ways is the Holy Spirit like fire?

The Holy Spirit Illuminates

Like fire, the Holy Spirit illuminates. He brings light to our sin. The Holy Spirit’s job is to convict us—and the world—of sin. It’s not our job as Christians to convict the world of sin, that’s the Spirit’s job. 

The Holy Spirit as fire also illuminates the Scriptures. He helps us to interpret the Bible properly. 

The Holy Spirit Purifies

Like fire, the Holy Spirit also purifies us of sin. The Holy Spirit not only convicts us of sin, but empowers us to repent from sin and thereby be rid of it.

The Holy Spirit Comforts

The Holy Spirit, like fire, warms our hearts in the cold, isolating, dark moments of our lives. When we’re feeling overwhelmed by our own sin and the sin of the world, the Holy Spirit brings the peace of God that comforts us.

Conclusion

It is only because of the Holy Spirit that we can not only be born again, but to grow in Christ as he fulfills his sanctifying work on the basis of Christ’s work on the cross.