Does your heart yearn to know the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and to discover what that means at its deepest level? Do you long for greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
As prophetic people, we are wired for a close relationship with God. This is the place where we become acquainted with Him, His ways, and His voice.
That drawing and pull you feel towards Him, is a gift from your Heavenly Father; it is your invitation to fellowship with Him.
The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth closes with this word of blessing (2 Cor 13:14):
‘May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.’
Our first clue to what the ‘fellowship of the Holy Spirit’ means, comes from the Greek word translated ‘fellowship’ in this Scripture verse. It is ‘koinonia’, which means communion, partnership, and participation. [1]
There is a meaning, inherent in this verse, that the Holy Spirit is commonly shared among all believers. On a personal level, to have fellowship with the Holy Spirit is to commune with Him. It is to be actively engaged in a relationship with Him. It is to partner with Him.
Following are 3 keys to help you have intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit and go deeper in your relationship with Him.
1. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit by Appreciating Him as a Person
Have you ever noticed how many movies portray ordinary people, who have supernatural powers? It is interesting that science fiction writers point to some physical, impersonal thing, like radiation or a mutant gene, as the source of a superpower.
At Pentecost, the believers were not waiting for power, radiation, or an ability—they were waiting for a Person. The power came with the Person of the Holy Spirit—someone with Whom they could fellowship and do life, ministry, and mission together.
‘And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.’ (John 14:16-17, NKJV
When Jesus said ‘another’, the Greek word ‘allos’ meant ‘another the same as’; ‘the same sort’. [2] He went on to say, ‘I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.’ (John 14:18) Jesus was saying, ‘the Holy Spirit will be with you just as I have been with you.’
Throughout the Book of Acts, we see the Person of the Holy Spirit actively present—leading, speaking, and manifesting.
‘And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.’ (Eph 4:30)
The Holy Spirit has a mind, will, emotions, and a voice. The Holy Spirit is God, up close and personal. And we can have a relationship with Him.
2. You can Fellowship with the Holy Spirit Because of What Jesus has Done
‘May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.’ (2 Cor 13:14)
Here are three contexts to help us experience the fellowship of the Holy Spirit:
A. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Spirit of God is a Holy Spirit. The reason He can dwell in us is that Jesus has sanctified us (made us holy) through His sacrifice on the cross. (see 1 Cor 6:11, Heb 10:29)
This is great news! Your worthiness to fellowship with the Holy Spirit is not because of what you have done. Righteousness is yours through the grace of Jesus, and what He has accomplished.
However, your ability to enjoy the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be determined by your confidence in the power of Jesus’ sacrifice, and His shed blood, as it relates personally to you.
We do not have to be ruled by temptation or live conscious of sin. We can live every day aware of, and rejoicing in, our righteousness in Christ. (Romans 8:1-14)
B. The love of God (the Father).
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Rom 8:15)
The Holy Spirit is a gift to you from your loving Father, just as Jesus was sent from the Father (Luke 24:49, John 3:16). As the Spirit of adoption, the Holy Spirit is not only God’s expression of love, He is the One who continually reveals the Father to you.
C. Shared Experience with Others.
It is important to note that the context of this verse is also corporate. ‘…be with you all.’ We are not meant to live a lonely spiritual walk. The grace, love and fellowship of God is not only a personal experience; it is also a rich shared experience with others in the church, the body of Christ.
3. To Fellowship with the Holy Spirit Means to Share with Him
As we fellowship with the Spirit, there is a mingling of our lives with His life. Remember, the Greek word translated ‘fellowship’, ‘koinonia,’ means communion, partnership and participation.
Among the things the Holy Spirit shares with us are His companionship, His gifts, access to the resources of Heaven, His guidance and help, His anointing and power.
What does the Holy Spirit desire to give to you, that you can can simply receive from Him right now?
True fellowship (communion) goes both ways. We in turn give the Holy Spirit our love and honor. His interests become our interests. In order to receive the Spirit’s help and comfort, we must surrender our weakness and need to Him.
- We surrender our will in order to receive His guidance
- We yield our tongues in order for Him to pray and speak through us
- And we give Him our bodies to express the love of the Father and the grace of Jesus through us
Is the Holy Spirit putting His finger on something, that you need to yield to Him at this time?
Today, allow the Holy Spirit to draw you closer into fellowship With Him. Meditate on this study, and the Scriptures mentioned. Journal and ask, “Lord, how can I experience more fellowship with You?”
