WALKING IN THE COMFORT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied (Acts 9:31).

Last week I discussed part of what “walking in the fear of the Lord” involves. The responsibility we must bear for walking righteously need not be burdensome. As we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, He adds grace that makes it very possible to live lives that honor Him. Continual fellowship with the Lord and ingesting His Word will result in continual spiritual growth.  Add to that a commitment to the local church and the discipline of being under the church leadership and teaching, and you have the makings of a progressive spiritual experience. That experience will bear fruit worthy of the Lord. In Colossians 1:9-11, Paul says, “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience . . . .”

Endurance and patience come as we walk “in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus, knowing how immeasurably valuable the Holy Spirit would be, encouraged the apostles saying, “. . .the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). No wonder He is the Comforter! He echoes the words of Jesus, bringing to our recollection precious life-giving words that can sustain us, give us hope, and fuel our faith. In John 14, Jesus reveals that He would not leave us orphans but would be in us in the person of the Holy Spirit.

My prayer today is that as a congregation we be a people that walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, revealing Jesus and maintaining His cause. For this, we live.