How do you know you have Holy Spirit as a reborn Christian? I asked a lady, Lori, in my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) group, who grew up in a Christian family. Her answer is simple but profound to me. She says, “I have Holy Spirit within me because I believe what the Bible says: ‘And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.’ (Ephesians 1:13)”
The action for receiving this promised assurance is: Believe.
After this action, the result will be displaying obviously: We ought to love, have peace, hope and joy. As Pastor John Piper wrote: “’We ought to love each other’ (refer to 1 John 4:11),” he means ought the way fish ought to swim in water and birds ought to fly in the air and living creatures ought to breathe” because “God’s spirit is in us. God’s nature is in us.” (*See note)
Religious people who think they are doing good things to go to heaven make a huge ungodly mistake, which is called self-righteousness. As Pastor John Piper wrote, “It’s one or the other: law-keeping to establish my righteousness or faith alone to rest in His.”
As oil doesn’t mix with water, God-center righteousness is mutually exclusive with human-center righteousness.
Today, turn away from self-center righteousness to God-center righteousness. You will have the assurance of going to heaven through Holy Spirit sealed in you by God’s grace.
So I pray: Lord, God, we thank You for giving us Your righteousness in Jesus Christ through our faith alone. Your unconditional forgiving love only requires our faith to Jesus Christ as Your redemption for our sins. We cannot be more moral or virtuous to earn Your salvation because Jesus Christ alone is our salvation. Jesus Christ’ blood is enough to save the sinners who repent. We praise Your great work has been done victoriously!
Song: By Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXB8ihepUpE