February 22

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. — John 15:26 BSB

The Holy Spirit’s special work is to testify of Jesus, to glorify Him, to take the things that belong to Christ and show them to the soul. Without the teachings and testimonies of the Holy Spirit, we cannot have any true or saving knowledge of Christ. Without the Spirit, we cannot have living faith in Christ, sweet communion with Him, or tender and affectionate love toward Him. These are the marks that distinguish the living family of God from those who are spiritually dead.

A mere intellectual knowledge of the truth cannot stir the soul with the gracious affections that warm, soften, and melt the heart of a child of God under the influence of the Holy Spirit. It cannot produce the kind of faith that creates a real union with Jesus or inspire the kind of hope that directs every desire within the veil. It cannot create the kind of godly sorrow for sin that leads a person to loathe and despise themselves in repentance, nor can it shed abroad the kind of love that causes a person to love the Lord with a pure heart.

The same blessed Holy Spirit who reveals Christ to the soul also prepares the heart to receive Him in all His gracious roles and covenant relationships. He does this by powerfully convincing us of our need for Christ to be everything to us.

Is Christ a Priest? We need His atoning blood and intercession to have peace with God and for our prayers to be accepted.

Is Christ a Prophet? We need His heavenly instruction so we can sit at His feet, believe His promises, and obey His commands.

Is Christ a King? We need His powerful rule to subdue every enemy, calm every fear, defeat every lust, crucify our sinful nature, and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.