The Spirit Glorifies Christ

Scripture: John 16:14 (KJV)

“He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

Personal Reflection

How can we distinguish the genuine work of the Holy Spirit from religious counterfeits? Jesus gives us one indispensable test: the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ.

I want to emphasize that the Spirit brings sinners to a true knowledge of Christ, conforms believers to Christ through the Word, and fixes their attention upon Christ crucified, risen, reigning, and returning. Therefore, any supposed spiritual movement that continually magnifies experiences, personalities, signs, feelings, or manifestations while Christ remains in the background has departed from the biblical pattern.

The Holy Spirit does not come to make us fascinated with ourselves. He turns our eyes away from ourselves and toward Jesus.

When He convicts us of sin, Christ becomes precious as our righteousness. When He illuminates Scripture, we increasingly behold Christ's glory. When He sanctifies us, He makes us increasingly like Christ.

This provides a valuable test for our own spiritual lives. Am I becoming more impressed with my experiences, or more captivated by Christ? Do I speak primarily about what I have experienced, or about what Christ has accomplished?

The Spirit-filled Christian should increasingly be able to say with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

True spirituality does not make much of man. It makes much of Jesus.

Contemplation

Is my spiritual life increasingly causing Christ to become greater in my thoughts, affections, worship, and conversation?

Puritan Quote

Thomas Goodwin wrote concerning the Spirit's work:

“The Holy Ghost takes all the pains...to glorify Christ.”

Prayer

Holy Spirit, turn my eyes continually toward Jesus Christ. Deliver me from fascination with myself, experiences, or religious excitement. Reveal Christ through the Word and make Him increasingly precious to my soul. Amen.

Application

Throughout today, deliberately turn conversations about spiritual matters toward the person and finished work of Jesus Christ.