THE HOLY SPIRIT
In Greek, the word grace is closely related to the word gift. Total grace is two gifts: The gift of righteousness through the finished work of the cross, and the gift of righteousness through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit in every born-again believer. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit Himself is a gift to you, and that He is what the promise of the father:
…He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father
had promised. (Jesus speaking)
…and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Peter speaking) Acts 1:4&2:38b
In Acts 1, Jesus explained that "the promise of the Father" is the Holy Spirit. Then, in Acts 2:38, Peter explained that the Holy Spirit is a gift.
You got "in Adam" by being born. Now you have come to be "in Christ" by being born again. Do you see that this new birth in the Spirit is all grace? Each aspect of God's program is a gift which you could never earn. But you have received both the gift of justification by faith and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Anyone can receive. Many of the least worthy people in the world have received. Whosoever will may come home and take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)
You cannot earn the Holy Spirit today, but He is eager to fill you. You need not convince God that you are finally spiritual enough to be filled, but He is willing to give you His fullness based on the finished work at Calvary. The Holy Spirit moves gladly in conjunction with, and in response to, the blood of Christ.
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