February 20 – The Holy Spirit, Our Helper

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." – Romans 8:14 (KJV)

Through the ministry of angels, the Holy Spirit works upon the minds and hearts of individuals, drawing them to Christ. Yet, He never forces the human will. The Holy Spirit is given as a helper so that man may cooperate with the Divine. His role is to lead sinners toward salvation, but never to compel them to obey.

Christ is ready to bestow all heavenly influences upon those who seek Him. He understands every temptation that befalls humanity and knows the circumstances of each person. He measures their resistance to sin, sees both their present struggles and future needs, and reminds them of the responsibilities they must fulfill. He urges them not to be so consumed by worldly matters that they neglect the eternal. The Lord has an abundance of grace for all who accept His divine gift. The Holy Spirit takes the talents entrusted by God and brings them into the service of Christ, shaping and molding the believer according to the divine pattern.

The Holy Spirit is our strength in the work of character formation, conforming us to the likeness of Christ. It is a great mistake to believe we can shape our own lives by our own strength. We can never gain victory over temptation in our own power. But those who have genuine faith in Christ will be transformed by the Holy Spirit. The person in whom true faith dwells will grow into a beautiful temple for the Lord, guided by the grace of Christ. Their spiritual growth will be in direct proportion to their trust in the teachings of the Spirit.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the very life of Christ within us. Though we do not see or speak to Christ face to face, His Spirit is just as near to us in one place as in another. He works in and through all who receive Him. Those who experience the abiding presence of the Spirit will reflect His fruits—“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22, KJV). May we open our hearts fully to the working of the Holy Spirit today.