Without the revelation through the Holy Spirit, we adapt ourselves once more to the man-made dictates of religion. The Holy Spirit is the Only One Who can bring the revelation of Jesus to the church or the world. Paul writes to the Church of Galatia about their turning away from the Holy Spirit and returning to the man-made teachings of the old covenant. Galatians 3:1-4 (Amplified) says, "Oh you poor and silly and thoughtless and unreflecting and senseless Galatians! Who has fascinated or bewitched or cast a spell on you, unto whom-right before your very eyes-Jesus Christ (the Messiah) was openly and graphically set forth and portrayed as crucified? Let me ask you this one question; Did you receive the (Holy) Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing (the message of the Gospel) and believing (it)? Was it from observing a Law of rituals or from a message of faith? Verses 3-5 go on, "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun (your new life spiritually) with the (Holy) Spirit, are you now reaching perfection (by dependance) on the flesh? Have you suffered so many things and experienced so much all nothing (to no purpose) if it really is to no purpose and in vain? Then does He Who supplies you with His marvelous (Holy) Spirit and works powerfully and miraculously among you do so on (the grounds of your doing) what the Law demands, or because of your believing in and adhering to and trusting in and relying on the message that you heard?"
This discourse to the Galatians is still true for the Church today. The Law has been reinstated in many of our churches throughout the world today. We seem to have gone from grace to the Law once again. We began in the Spirit and are now trying to reach our perfection through the flesh again.
The Holy Spirit is the One to Whom the revelation of Jesus is given to the Church and the world. He is the End of death and sin, to the Church and He is the Life and Strength of our new life in Him. The revelation of Jesus Christ did not end at the cross, but began there. Everything that Jesus is and everything Jesus did, is being revealed through the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was raised from the dead and justified through the Spirit, we were also raised and justified. Our justification is not and cannot be by the works of the Law. If it could have been, then Jesus was not necessary for us. Only the Holy Spirit can tame the flesh. Willpower can hold back the flesh to some degree, but not for long. The moment willpower slips, we are back in the same mess we were in before.
As the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus in a new light, He changes us from "glory to glory" as we see Him. 1John 4:17 (Amplified) says, "In this (union and communion with Him) love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment (with assurance and boldness to face Him) because as He is, so are we in this world."
Only the Holy Spirit can bring this scripture to life in the believer's heart. Our natural man is striving to become perfect, but the Holy Spirit is the One Who makes us perfect in the Love of Jesus Christ. This isn't our love for Him, but our understanding (through the Holy Spirit) His love for us.
Colossians 2:9-10 (Amplified) says, "For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form (giving complete expression of the divine nature). And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life (in Christ you are filled with the Godhead-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-and reach full spiritual stature). And He is the Head of all rule and authority (of every angelic principality and power)"
Without the Holy Spirit to reveal this scripture to you, your natural man will find some way of explaining it away as not being for us in the here and now. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal His glory to and in us. Natural man still sees the natural man and his weaknesses, while the Holy Spirit reveals the spiritual man and his ability through Jesus. We continue striving to finish the work that Jesus has already completed.
God doesn't view you through your weak flesh and willpower, but see you through Jesus and the Holy Ghost power. This doesn't mean you will never have to struggle with temptation again, but it does mean that through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can overcome any obstacle that comes your way.
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