God's Holy Fire: 'Shared in the Holy Spirit'

For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened — those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come — and who then turn away from God ...

— Hebrews 6:4-6a NLT

Key Thought

Contained within this very tough and frank passage is a powerful promise: Those who belong to Jesus have "shared in the Holy Spirit." Following Jesus, being forgiven, receiving the gift of salvation means that we share in the Holy Spirit! The gift of the Spirit to every true disciple was promised from the very first message at Pentecost (Acts 2:38). This promise was championed by Paul as a reminder that we are God's children (Romans 8:9). This promise is also part of the song of the redeemed as they invite Jesus to return (Revelation 22:17). To be saved is to share in this incredible gift of grace of the holy presence of God, the Holy Spirit, within us!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, I know that I have sometimes moved away from your presence and sought my own way. But, dear Father, I never want to turn my back on you. I thank you for sharing yourself with me by giving me the Holy Spirit when I came to Jesus. Thank you for this taste of heaven and this promise of the future. Please fill me more and more with this presence and use me to your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.