The Power of the Spirit (Spirit of Truth Part 3)
The Power of Partnership with God
God, in His great wisdom, has not only created us to live in community with others—but also to partner with Him. When we experience powerful moments of teamwork, whether in sports, at work, or through adventure, something inside us awakens. These moments reveal something deeper: we were made in the image of a God who Himself exists in partnership.
God in Partnership: The Mystery of the Trinity
The Bible offers glimpses into the profound nature of God—a God who is one and yet exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Genesis 1:26 (ESV), God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” The plural language points to a divine partnership that has existed before time began.
This truth continues throughout Scripture:
At Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17 ESV), the Father speaks from heaven, the Son emerges from the water, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove.
In John 14:9-11 (ESV), Jesus declares, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father,” and then promises the coming of the Holy Spirit.
This mystery, often called the Trinity, is not just theological—it’s relational. It reveals a God who is inherently communal and who invites us into that communion and co-laboring.
God’s Redemptive Work Through Partnership
From Genesis to Revelation, God invites humanity into partnership. Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and the apostles—all were drawn into God's plan of restoration. This partnership was most clearly seen in Jesus, who accomplished what we never could: living a sinless life, dying a substitutionary death, and rising again to defeat sin and death.
Yet the story didn’t end there. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come and empower His followers (Acts 1:8 ESV). That power came not just to comfort, but to equip. The Holy Spirit empowers those who choose to partner with Him in God's ongoing redemptive mission on earth.
The Power Comes Upon Partners
The Holy Spirit is not the "doer" on our behalf—He is the Helper. He does not override our will, but works with our willingness. Scripture is full of invitations into this dynamic:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7 ESV).
“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly” (2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV).
“We are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9 ESV).
Partnership with God is about recognizing our role and stepping into it by faith. Like Peter, who was transformed from a fearful fisherman into a bold preacher on Pentecost, we too are empowered when we embrace the Holy Spirit’s invitation to co-labor.
Breaking Old Agreements
Every partnership requires exclusivity. We only have so much capacity, and when our lives are tied up in agreements with things not of God—whether it's sin, distraction, or even apathy—we limit our ability to partner with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5 calls believers away from destructive patterns like sexual immorality, then immediately commands them to be filled with the Holy Spirit. To fully walk in step with the Spirit, we must evaluate where our hearts are entangled and be willing to break old contracts.
This might be obvious areas of sin. But sometimes, it’s subtler: distractions that drain our time and dull our awareness. Even seemingly harmless habits can become unhealthy partnerships when they keep us from stepping into God's purposes.
Flashlight Faith: Living as Bearers of Light
We live in a world marked by the collision of two kingdoms: light and darkness. When we receive Jesus, the light of the world, we are given the Spirit, and with Him comes the power to shine that light wherever we go.
Yet too often, we pray as if we’re waiting for God to act alone, forgetting that He has already empowered us. The flashlight is already in our hands. The Spirit is in us. And the question isn’t whether God will move—it’s whether we will choose to point the light.
An Invitation to Partnership
There’s no pressure in this calling—only partnership. Jesus did the work we could never do; now the Spirit comes alongside us to do what only He can do through us. God’s redemptive plan continues today, and He is looking for willing hearts to partner with Him.
Whether it’s asking for the Spirit’s filling, breaking off old agreements, or simply waking up each day with a prayer of availability—“God, how do you want to partner today?”—each step draws us deeper into the life we were created for.
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life are you feeling powerless—and could that be an invitation to partner more fully with the Holy Spirit?
Are there any “old agreements” or distractions that may be limiting your capacity to walk in partnership with God?
What would it look like for you to begin each day asking, “Holy Spirit, how can we partner today?”
Let’s be people who carry the flashlight with intention—partnering with God to bring light into the darkness.