Three-in-One: The Relational GodNäide

God the Spirit (2)

Comforter and Guide

Everything about God is mysterious and beyond human understanding. But the Spirit seems to be especially mysterious. Most people have at least some idea and understanding of what “father" means. Most people can relate to his “son” Jesus by reading stories about him in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

But Spirit?

What does that even mean? We use that word for many different things today. School “spirit” is about energy and excitement. Christmas “spirit” is about joy and generosity. Doing something with the right “spirit” refers to a person’s attitude. People with an entrepreneurial “spirit” are driven by new ideas and challenges.

Today, people usually use “spirit” to refer to an attitude, an essence, or a defining characteristic about someone. But those don’t come close to explaining who the Holy Spirit is.

One way to begin understanding the Holy Spirit is to remember that he is also called “God’s Spirit” and “the spirit of Christ” in the Bible. The Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ is the presence of God that fills our lives and binds us together with him and with one another.

That still leaves a lot of mystery and supernatural unknowns.

Fortunately, the Bible does say some very specific things about the Spirit. We can at least start with those, and then keep learning more as we continue to follow Jesus. Some of those verses are included in today's verses. As you read them, ask God to help you begin to understand, know, and sense his Spirit.