According to the Bible, there are some things we cannot do before coming to Christ, and even after comng to Christ:
When we fully understand the role of the Spirit in redemption, we will see that salvation is truly of the Lord. All that I do I can only do as the Spirit enables me.
It is ALL of God. Everything that I am or ever hope to be in Christ is all because of God's grace. From my birth in Christ to my death Christ, it is the Spirit that does it all. The Spirit convicts me, saves me, sanctifies me, strengthens me, teaches me, leads me, fills me, intercedes for me, comforts me, and keeps me.
We shall trace from a biblical perspective the Spirit's role in redemption from beginning to end.
The Spirit convicts the world of Sin, Righteousness, and Judgment - John 16:7-11
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged.
The Spirit draws us to Christ - John 6:44
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.
The Spirit gives birth to our Spirit - John 3:6
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
The Spirit circumcises our hearts - Rom. 2:29
Rom 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
The Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ - 1 Cor. 2:11
1Co 12:13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.
The Spirit empowers us to live the Christian life - Acts 1:8
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem , and in all Judaea and Samaria , and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Because the Spirit of God dwells in us: Rom. 8:11 , 1 Cor. 3:16 , 2 Cor. 6:16
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God , and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
The Spirit guides us - John 16:13 (See above 1 Co.r 2:11 )
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
The Spirit comforts us - John 16:7
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
The Spirit enables us - Rom. 8:11-13
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
The Spirit engifts us - 1 Cor. 12:7
1Co 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.
The Spirit teaches us - 1 Cor 2:10, 14
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them] , because they are spiritually discerned.
The Spirit reassures us - Rom. 8:16
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Spirit fills us - Eph. 5:18
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
The Spirit Sanctifies us - 1 Pet. 1:2
1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
The Spirit Seals us - Eph. 1:13
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted] , after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
When one truly understands the teaching of God's word, it becomes absolutely clear that Salvation is of the Lord from beginning to end! We are His workmanship (Eph. 2:10) Christ is indeed the Author and Finsiher of our faith!
