The Holy Spirit Is Given to Us That We May Have a Better Life
The lecture explains that faith, theology, the Holy Bible, and the work of the Holy Spirit were not given to man merely to become information or subjects for debate, but to be transformed into a true spiritual life within him. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that the work of the Holy Spirit appears primarily in changing the heart and connecting the person with God, rather than in being occupied with outward manifestations or spiritual gifts alone. True spiritual theology enlightens the mind, kindles the heart with the love of God, and leads the person to a practical life with God.
Spiritual Message
One of the essential signs of the work of the Holy Spirit in a person is the spiritual power that makes him steadfast and effective in his life, service, and witness to Christ. This power is not a reliance on intelligence, experience, or personal ability, but rather the work of the grace of God in the person. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are also more important than merely possessing gifts, because love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control reveal the work of the Spirit in the heart. The lecture focuses particularly on love as a fervent divine love that causes the person to love God and cling to Him, and from his love for God comes his love for others and his concern for the salvation of every soul.
Educational Lesson
The lecture teaches that a person should not measure his spiritual life by outward gifts, but by the change and spiritual fruit taking place in his heart. The goal is not for the person to become more occupied with God’s gifts than with God Himself, but rather to abide in God and make his relationship with Him a relationship of love rather than one of personal benefit. From this love comes true joy, as the person rejoices in the Lord Himself and not only in what he receives from Him. This life also leads to peace, gentleness, kindness, and the other fruits of the Spirit, so that the heart becomes the true field of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Practical Application
The teaching calls every person, especially the servant, to ask for the power of the Holy Spirit in order to serve and witness to Christ with spiritual power, and to examine his life to see whether the fruits of the Spirit truly appear in it. It also calls him to care for purity of heart, love, joy, and peace more than outward manifestations and gifts. The required spiritual practice is for the person to abide in God, seek God Himself before His gifts, love the Church, the Word of God, and the Kingdom, and lovingly seek the salvation of others. When the heart is filled with this love and joy, the person discovers the value of silence, contemplation, and the inner work of God, so that his spiritual knowledge is transformed from mere information into life and true fellowship with God.
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