In Acts 1, the apostles were instructed to “wait on the Spirit.” Why? The obvious answer is that the Holy Spirit would provide the power for their testimony or witness unto the uttermost parts of the earth. While we in the contemporary church have affirmed the power of the Holy Spirit in evangelism and preaching, we have limited the power of God’s Spirit in other facets of our life. The power of the Holy Spirit can do things we seldom consider.
First, the Holy Spirit helps us develop an appropriate sense of self. In Acts 1, the Holy Spirit was involved in the selection of Judas’s replacement. Only the Holy Spirit can provide an appropriate sense of calling; only the Holy Spirit can provide an appropriate sense of self-disqualification. Through the Spirit, one is conscious of self—strengths and weaknesses, positives and negatives. In the spiritual realm, it is through the Holy Spirit that we see ourselves. Thankfully, in the Holy Spirit we also see that perfection is not required of us. The Holy Spirit empowers us individually beyond ourselves.
Second, the Holy Spirit helps us see one another clearly. In the presence of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome distinctions and divisions. The church without the Holy Spirit is severely limited, in fact incapable, of being the body of Christ that God intends. Paul writes of the “unity of the Spirit” in Ephesians 4. The Holy Spirit unites us. The Holy Spirit empowers us corporately beyond ourselves.
Finally, through the Holy Spirit we see others. We see beyond ourselves, we see beyond our little world. We see those in need of the gospel. We see the hurts and problems of our world. We see the heart of God touched by the needs of our world, and we hear God’s call asking who will go and whom he may send.
As you develop a Christian worldview, do not exclude the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is essential to seeing what God sees.