Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit

by Francis Chan

Paul tells the Galatians that the Holy Spirit is the one who assures our hearts that we are His children: “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer slaves, but God’s children; and since you are his children, he has made you also heirs.” (4:6–7 TNIV). These verses speak an amazing, beautiful truth! I can’t fully explain it, but I’ve often experienced it in intimate moments with God. This is one of the precious gifts the Holy Spirit gives us. He assures us that we are in right standing with and loved by God. He guarantees believers of the gift of new life in Christ. He assures us that we have nothing to fear because we are His children and He is powerful. He tells us that we are accepted, fully and unconditionally.