The Spirit - Omnipotent

Ezekiel 36:24-27 (ESV) ²⁴ I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. ²⁵ I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. ²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.^[a]

I remember so fully of my “past life.” The life I lived prior to God changing me and regenerating my heart. I at times look upon the old Jesse and go through a great deal of feeling and spiritual battle. How could a Holy God desire that? How could I act and behave like that? Why do I still sometimes struggle with some things from my past? How did God change someone so utterly horrible? So many questions. So much noise. So much distraction.

Then the most powerful truth silences it all. This very truth that causes me to raise my hands in worship and at times weep with rejoice. “Because God is greater than it all.” God is infinitely more mighty than any version of me. He was able to tear down the scales and stone around my heart, with absolutely no effort, and bring me to His family. His Holy Spirit came upon me and granted me a spiritual heart. He came upon ME. With all my baggage. With all my drama. With all my sin. With all my wickedness and ugly. The most wonderful thought…He wanted to do it. He wanted me.

Let’s look at the Scripture from Ezekiel today. We see this exact same scenario laid out in a much larger demographic. Israel was MESSED up. Like bad. Like people who decide to be fans of the Chicago Bears bad. Okay…that’s not true…that is an insult to the ancient Israelites. (Burn)

The Attribute of Omnipotence is that someone is supremely powerful over all. The Holy Spirit, as do the other person of the Trinity, personifies this attribute. The Spirit’s context of modeling this, however, is unique. The Father is Omnipotent in sheer might and power. The Son’s Omnipotence is in the realm of Creation and Judgement over sin. The Spirit’s is far more subtle, yet no less powerful. The Spirit’s “realm” lies in the realm of the heart.

So, let’s go back to that reflection of Jesse at the beginning. My sin ran deep in my “unsaved life.” I was a mess quite literally. Then one day, reflecting both great peace and silence, with great and tremendous power all at once, my heart was changed. This very same Holy Spirit was fully and solely responsible. The Lord saw fit to pluck me out of my darkness, and used His Spirit, with His endless power to change the human heart, and broke it all down effortlessly. The dead brought to life. The first breath of air. The first sight. The first sense of healing.

The Holy Spirit’s aptitude to convict the heart of the believer, to transform the heart of the unbeliever, and to lead them both towards the Light of Christ is unmatched, and fully limitless. This is where the endless power of the Spirit resides. It resides along the path of history of millions upon millions of people who have seen their fighting an uphill battle with no progress. Have seen the futility of trying on their own. Have heard of the sweetness of Christ and the featherweight of His yoke. Have had their hearts overwhelmed with the love and power of The Holy Spirit……..and then you were reborn Christian.

May you never forget how loved you are.

Soli Deo Gloria!!!!