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Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 107

"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."

Text: Ephesians 2:18

THE ROLE OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Paul was correct in bringing up the issue of the role of the Spirit of God in his discussion of having access to God. The phrase “by one Spirit” may seem almost innocuous, but in fact it fraught with deep significance.

THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD- A QUICK REVIEW

Paul’s understanding of the ministry of the Spirit of God in the epistle to the Ephesians includes the following:-

1. The Holy Spirit as a Seal from God Ephesians 1:13

God had planned much. Christ had carried out all of God’s plans . The role of the Spirit of God was to function as a great and holy Seal.

2. The Holy Spirit as a Guarantee from God Ephesians 1:14

The plans of God, the promised blessings, the work of Christ- these all seem too wonderful to be true. Mercifully the Spirit of God ministers in our heart, as God’s guarantee that all that had been wrought would indeed come to pass.

3. The Holy Spirit as Illuminator Ephesians 1:17

Who can fully fathom the depth of the significance of the works of God? No human being can fully grasp all that God had planned in and through the redemptive work of Christ. Thankfully, the Spirit of God ministers deeply in our hearts and minds. He illumines our understanding so that our knowledge of God and all His wondrous works may be appreciated at an even deeper level.

4. The Holy Spirit as the One who enables us to appreciate Access to God
Ephesians 2:18

This is yet another wonderful role the Spirit of God plays. How does the Holy Spirit fulfil this role? Let us take time to consider what Paul wrote in his epistle to the Romans.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
these are sons of God. For you did not receive
the spirit of bondage
again to fear, but you received the Spirit of
adoption by whom we cry out,
‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears
witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
ROMANS 8:14-16

a) The Spirit of God Himself leads us to God the Father.

b) He teaches us how to relate to God as “Abba, Father”.

c) He keeps bearing witness in our hearts that we are indeed “children of God”.

These works of the Spirit of God are not insignificant. Without His ministry, we would never be able to fully appreciate what it means to have been granted access to God the Father. With the aid of the Spirit of God we would be able to deepen our relationship with our Father in heaven.