The Third Wheel

This summer, I’ve had the honor and privilege of teaching Intro to the Holy Spirit class we offer at Seapointe College (shameless plug ;-)). Here’s a bit of a cheat code/secret that some professors don’t want you to know: we love teaching our classes because it give us an opportunity to learn. Maybe it’s to re-learn things we forgot (yeah, that happens but no way we’re telling you that lol), or maybe it’s learning something we actually never knew before (Shock! I know, right?!). In our learning experience, the greatest part is that others have the opportunity of learning with and from us. Here’s a quick crash course on the Holy Spirit as we prepare to dive into John’s explanation of its testimony in the text. You’re welcome. :-D

1. When reading the Bible, always view the text “trinitarily” (basically, any time you see part of the Trinity, the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, remember them being one and the same which means when you see one doing something you see them all. Where you see God, Jesus is also present. When Jesus is doing something in the text, so is the Holy Spirit. When you see the Spirit move in Acts and other places, God is moving there as well. Hopes that makes sense.

2. As believers, we need to know the difference between “indwelling” and “in-filling” of the Spirit. If you believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that He died on the cross to save us of our sins, that He rose again and His Lordship is declared in the heavens until His victorious return then you have Him living inside of you in the form of Spirit! This is the indwelling of the Spirit, where it remains in you. In-filling is different in the sense that we see how the Bible shows that many were filled with the power of the Spirit and they did things like preach boldly, prophecy, perform miraculous signs and wonders and the like. Some believe that Spirit stopped doing these things when the last pages of the Bible were written. Some believe that the “gifts” of the Spirit as they’re known and very much alive and well today. Regardless of what one believes, the bottom line is simple: the Holy Spirit resides/abides in anyone who believes they’ve been saved and in Christ Jesus. And lastly…

3. If one does still believe in the working gifts given by the power of the Spirit, or even if you just believe that the Spirit lives and dwells within you, then trust and know that anything we do in the Spirit will always relate back to Acts 1:8…and nothing else. “You will receive power when the Spirit comes upon you…” not to show people how amazing we are, not because we’re gifted and anointed, not because we want to levitate and have Marvel powers for Jesus. We receive power so that we can go forth and be His witnesses. For no other reason do we have this power. If we try and use it for any other reason either it simply won’t work and/or we will still face judgment and find ourselves separated from the King in eternity.

Ok…now that we’ve gotten that out the way…time to actually unpack this spirit understanding of our identity in Christ. The thing John has been telling us about this entire time. Appreciate the grace and patience on the whole Holy Spirit class deal.

The Testimony of the Spirit

In the Christian journey, understanding the role of the Holy Spirit is crucial. The Spirit is not just a passive presence but an active testimony within us. According to 1 John 5:6-12, the Spirit, along with the water and the blood, testifies to the truth of Jesus Christ—His divinity, His humanity, and His redemptive work on the cross. This testimony isn't just external; it resides within every believer, confirming in our hearts the truth of God’s Word. This is the foundation of our faith, the assurance that we belong to Him, and the proof that our identity is firmly rooted in Christ.

***Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud***

So most of us know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Spirit is important, that it is an imperative part of our Faith. We know that the Spirit IS God. So, knowing this, it amazes me to see how many Christians will treat the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, like a third wheel; like it’s entirely too awkward and weird to have Him moving through our lives when we actually can’t live without Him. There’s a big, slightly awkward, and kind of unpopular reason tied to why I believe this is the case. Buckle up, and allow me to explain…

The Power of Love

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13, speaks profoundly about the importance of love in the life of a believer. Even with the most extraordinary spiritual gifts—speaking in tongues, prophecy, and faith that can move mountains—without love, we are nothing. Love is the power that energizes our spiritual gifts, making them effective and impactful. It’s not enough to have the Spirit’s gifts; we must also embody the Spirit’s love. This love is not merely a feeling but an action, a commitment to live a life that reflects God’s love to a world desperately in need of Him.

And, if this wasn’t enough, I’ll ask this question as a reminder. Love is also known as what in Galatians 5:22? Oh yeah…it’s a member of a fruit of the…right…SPIRIT!! Having love is necessary to operate in the Spirit proper, and we run the risk of being a dangerous misrepresentation of the Spirit, the Gospel, and the Christian on the whole. With this understanding, let’s move forward.

The Witness of Water and Blood

John emphasizes the significance of the water and the blood as witnesses to Jesus Christ’s mission. His baptism in water and His shedding of blood on the cross both point to His divine sonship and His role as the Savior. But John doesn’t stop there. He brings it home by connecting these external witnesses to the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit, who is truth, confirms the reality of Jesus’ identity and mission within us. This internal witness is what empowers us to live out our faith boldly, knowing that we are truly known and loved by God. And the reason it’s able to do so is because it, being Jesus, being God, is the only eternal source that can encourage, convict, challenge, comfort, and guide us to an ensured completion of a life that’s obedient to Him and is lived well. Not easy, no, but it is just…that…simple.

Life in the Son

The ultimate testimony, John declares, is that God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in His Son, Jesus Christ. This eternal life isn’t just a future hope; it’s a present reality for those who have the Son. To have the Son is to have life, and to have life is to have the Spirit. This life is the new identity we receive when we trust in Jesus, an identity fashioned and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. It’s a life that calls us to bear witness to the truth, to love as Christ loved, and to live by the Spirit, knowing that we are eternally secure in Him.

In this journey, the Holy Spirit is far from being a "third wheel." He is the essential presence that confirms our identity in Christ, empowers us to live out our faith, and assures us of the eternal life we have in Jesus. Let us, therefore, embrace this witness within, living lives that point others to Him, and walking in the truth and love that the Spirit imparts to us.

— Jordan Brown

Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church