Why The Spirit Inside You is Better than Jesus Beside You

Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to serve the purposes of the gospel. The Holy Spirit first enables us to believe the gospel and then continually re-opens our eyes to its beauties… He empowers us to carry that gospel throughout the whole world. The Holy Spirit is given in the gospel, for the purposes of the gospel. – J.D. Greear

Summary

J.D. Greear’s new book, Jesus Continued: Why the Spirit Inside You is Better than Jesus Beside You is Greear’s latest book. In it he tackles the ever so expansive topic of the Holy Spirit. He addresses who the Holy Spirit is, how we experience the Holy Spirit, and finally how to seek the Holy Spirit. It is filled with solid biblical theology, wonderful illustrations, and plenty of stories from the mission field. The point of the book is that we need the Holy Spirit, that without the Holy Spirit we are helpless, that without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to experience God. The book is both clear and practical. Filled with doctrine but never minimizing the need to experience God. He shows us how our relationship with God flourishes when we acknowledge the work of the Spirit in our lives and how Ministry explodes when we lean not on our own power but in the Holy Spirit.

My Personal Thoughts on the Book

Honestly this book could not have come at a better time for me. The Lord used it to speak so much truth into my life, truths that I have neglected or forgotten…

Greear challenges us to recognize that it is our false sense of ability, not our inabilities that keep us from the power of the Spirit. How I needed to hear that!

He reminds us that it is possible to be mission driven but burned out – and that the only antidote to that burn out is to rely upon the Spirit’s power.

He reminds us that you will never be full of the Spirit as long as you are full of yourself. If you feel “full” of yourself in any particular area – ministry, family, relationships, skills – you are unlikely to experience the Spirit’s power in any of those areas.

He reminds us that we don’t need to feel anything when we pray, but that often times the Spirit does make us feel his presence in a special way.

He reminds us that hidden sin quenches the work of the Spirit in our lives.

He reminds us to come to church or small group with the expectation that God, through the Spirit, wants to give us words for others in the church and that he might want to give words to others to give to us. He ask us to come ready to speak in the Spirit and listen to the Spirit.

Finally he reminds us that God doesn’t need us – but he chooses to include us in his plans. He chooses to empower us through his Spirit to make us effective for his kingdom.

This book stirred my heart, and spurred me on to pursue more of the Spirit in my life. I highly recommend that you get it right now.

(Note: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an impartial review.)