Daily Lesson for Wednesday 23rd of September 2026

The grace of Jesus not only reveals the love of God for us but also brings the fellowship of the Spirit as a further effect of that love. At the same time, fellowship has its source in the love of God. And that is because without love, there is no fellowship. As Paul writes: “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2, NKJV).

Image © Erik Stenbakken at Goodsalt.com

Some people say that the Holy Spirit is only a force or influence, but that cannot be true. After all, why would Paul mention two persons—the Father and the Son—along with a mere “force” in a trinitarian formula? That would make no sense. Just as the Father and the Son are presented in a personal relationship (2 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 11:31), the relationship of the Spirit with persons leads us to the conclusion that He is also a person (Romans 8:15-16; see also John 14:16-17,26; John 15:26).

The phrase “fellowship of the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1) can be understood in two ways. It can mean fellowship with one another granted by the Spirit, or fellowship with the Spirit Himself. Several Bible interpreters argue that these senses are not mutually exclusive. After all, fellowship with one another is the consequence of fellowship with the Spirit.

Paul has much to say about the work of the Spirit. In 1 and 2 Corinthians, there are more than forty references to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit promotes the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 14:12), enables people for mission (1 Corinthians 2:4-5), reveals the deep things of God to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), and teaches them to us (1 Corinthians 2:13), dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19), works with Christ for our justification (1 Corinthians 6:11), bestows spiritual gifts to the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40), seals us for salvation (2 Corinthians 1:22), imprints the law in human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3), and gives new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:6), and freedom from sin (2 Corinthians 3:17). For sure, we cannot live without the Holy Spirit.

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