I Thessalonians 4:8
“Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.”
The last time we addressed this passage we focused on the Holy Spirit as comforter. He has many other roles. John 16:8 says that He convicts us of sin. This sounds uncomfortable. However the way He does it is meant to draw us to God.
If we feel guilt or shame, it’s not God. The devil works in those arenas. After listening to the serpent and eating the fruit Adam and Eve hid from God. They felt guilt and shame. The Lord’s way is to draw us. When He came to them He lured them out of their hiding place. He said, “Adam, where are you?”
Guilt, shame and hiding from God are universal responses. They aren’t from God. Like the tractor beam in Star Wars, The Lord draws us to Himself.
The impression the Spirit gives is to be rid of sin. It draws us to God (Hosea 11:4). This is interesting, because the press He gets from those that are against Him is bad. He is portrayed as a grim figure looking with disapproval upon humanity. Not true. He is looking upon us with compassion. He has an outstretched arm reaching out to us all.
In a way He is like an intervention counselor seeking to lure the addict from drugs and the destructive lifestyle. Unfortunately, many see Him as the enemy. However, He still reaches out in love.
It’s not just to unbelievers that He draws, but all of us. The more we get to know Him, the more we respond and the closer we get.
Lord, thank You for the convicting, drawing work of the Spirit. Help us to respond to Him.