Evidences of a Heart Invaded by the Holy Spirit

Why do so many people who profess Christ have no evidence of a heart invaded by the Holy Spirit? It is obvious that this is a problem. Here in Little Rock we have Christian Schools and Churches and a home schooled community filled with people who say they follow Christ but don't actually follow Christ.

I have been blessed to be studying in Titus recently and what I found in chapter 3 was convicting and beautiful at the same time. Paul tells Titus to remind the church in Crete to (among other things) be obedient, ready for every good deed, and to show consideration for all men. The reason he gives them for doing these things is breathtaking. He says this, "For we also were once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another." The next word in the passage is one of the most beautiful words in scripture because after the list of sins above (which we can all own up to) we deserve nothing but Hell (the just penalty for our sins). The next word is "but." Despite what we deserve, God's undeserved kindness and love appeared, and He saved us through Christ our rescuer! The passage goes on to say that we have been brought to life (regeneration) and are being being renewed through the Holy Spirit who has been poured on us.

When the eyes of an unbeliever are opened to see Jesus and the sacrifice He made for their sins on the cross, and they put their faith in Him, the Holy Spirit is poured on that person and their dead heart is raised to life with Christ. After this, the Holy Spirit starts renewing them. This means He starts convicting them of sins, He starts giving them a hatred for their sins and a love for righteousness, He gives them the strength to make war on their sins, and gives them a zeal for good works.

A heart invaded by the Holy Spirit is a heart that has been freed from it's slavery to sin, and is now a slave to Christ. A heart invaded by the Holy Spirit hates it's sin or has a deep desire to want to hate it's sin. Jesus does not forgive someone and leave them in their sins! Out of a deep love for them, he begins to help them rid their life of sin, a task none of us can do ourselves.

May we be a people who belong to Christ, filled with the Spirit, zealous for good deeds.

For the glory of God

Seth