June 9

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” — ACTS 2:2-3

Nicodemus was a Pharisee who believed there was something about Jesus that he lacked in himself. He came at night to question Him, and Jesus told him, “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:7-8).

The wind is one of the symbols the Bible uses to describe the power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. There were 3,000 new converts that day who had heard a sound like the blowing of a violent wind. No one saw it coming or knew where it was going. Like the wind, He goes where He pleases. No one knows when He’ll come or where He’ll go next, but being born of the Spirit and indwelt by Him is the very essence of Christian life, and the essential ingredient that brings us into a living, active relationship with Christ.

The other symbol used to describe the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is fire. When we read about fire in Scripture, it usually speaks of purity. There is a purifying work the Holy Spirit does in people’s lives – like a refining fire. Never forget the Holy Spirit’s title. He could have been called the ‘Powerful Spirit’, the ‘Saving Spirit’, the ‘Enabling Spirit’, all of which is true of Him. But the title He lives by is the ‘Holy Spirit’, and fire is a symbol of purity and holiness.

Holiness is not a pious stance. Holiness is to be set apart for God, and is about the way we treat people and how we conduct ourselves. It’s about the way we spend our money, and the way we go about our daily business. Holiness is the purifying work that produces the fruit of the Spirit in our characters, and is seen in our interaction with others. It is Jesus working from the inside out, and doing a refining work by His Holy Spirit. If we are interested in the work of His Spirit, we had better be interested in holiness, for it is holiness that sets us apart for God.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the remarkable gift of your indwelling Spirit. Keep me mindful that it is His work in me that deepens and strengthens our relationship. Help me not to grieve or quench Him in any way. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: How has the work of the Holy Spirit been expressed in my relationship with others?