Revelation 22:17
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
The first work of the Holy Spirit is to woo us, calling us to come. Without the Holy Spirit calling, no one would be saved. Salvation begins with God; He is the initiator. From Genesis to Revelation, we see God drawing people to Himself, sending His only begotten Son, and making salvation available freely to all who will receive it.
The Spirit calls, "Come, you thirsty? Come!" This is the invitation of God to a lost and dying world.
The Holy Spirit Quickens the Sinner
Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." The Holy Spirit makes alive the one who is spiritually dead and gives eternal life. The word "quickened" doesn’t just mean to make alive—it means to make alive never to die again. Once a person is quickened by the Spirit of God, they are given eternal life—a life that can never be lost.
Our flesh is still the problem. Even after salvation, the flesh fights against the Spirit. But verse 4 gives us the reason for our hope: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us." The Holy Spirit quickens us together with Christ, and by grace, we are saved.
The Holy Spirit Imparts the New Birth
John 3:5-7 says, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
Everyone is born once, but without a second birth, they remain in the flesh—void of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit imparts spiritual birth, making a person a new creature in Christ. Titus 3:5 explains it further: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Regeneration is the inward work of the Holy Spirit, giving life to the spiritually dead sinner.
The Holy Spirit Draws Sinners to Christ
John 6:44 says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him." The Holy Spirit does the drawing, but it is up to the sinner to receive the gift of salvation. Man is totally depraved in the sense that he cannot save himself, but not in the sense that he is incapable of responding to the truth. When the Holy Spirit calls, it is an invitation to respond to God’s grace.
The drawing of the Holy Spirit is the reason sinners are convicted, the reason they feel that stirring in their hearts when confronted with the truth of the gospel.
The Holy Spirit Testifies of Christ
John 15:26 says, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."
The Spirit does not testify of Himself—He testifies of Jesus Christ. A Spirit-filled believer will do the same, pointing others to Christ. Too often, people get caught up in side debates about church doctrine or theological disputes, missing the main point: Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. It is more important to bring a soul to Christ than to argue over secondary issues.
The Holy Spirit Guides into All Truth
John 16:13 says, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." The Spirit is the believer’s teacher, guiding us through the Scriptures and illuminating the Word of God.
However, Matthew 23:24 warns about blind guides who lead people astray. This is why it is crucial to be guided by the Holy Spirit rather than by man-made religion or tradition. While God gives pastors and teachers for edification, every believer has direct access to truth through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Reproves the World of Sin
John 16:8 says, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
The Holy Spirit convicts sinners of their sin, righteousness, and the coming judgment. When a person is under conviction, it is not our job to rush them into a decision or make them feel comfortable—it is the Holy Spirit’s work to bring them to repentance.
Ephesians 5:11 says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." We are to stand against sin, just as the Spirit does.
The Holy Spirit Secures the Sinner’s Justification
1 Corinthians 6:11 says, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Justification means to be declared righteous before God. This is a legal declaration, made possible only through Jesus Christ. If a person is justified by faith, their eternal security is sealed by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit Produces Sanctification
2 Thessalonians 2:13 says, "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."
The Holy Spirit’s work doesn’t stop at salvation—it continues in sanctification, setting believers apart for God’s purpose. 1 Peter 1:2 calls it "sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience." A true believer will grow in holiness, being conformed to the image of Christ.
Final Thoughts: The Ongoing Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit does the work of salvation and sanctification in the believer. He draws, quickens, regenerates, testifies, reproves, secures, and sanctifies. The question is: Are you listening?
For the lost, the Spirit says, "Come." For the saved, the Spirit says, "Follow."
If you have never trusted Jesus Christ, today is the day of salvation. If you are a believer, allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and sanctify you daily. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16).