Devotional: The One Who Wooed You

The One Who Wooed You

"Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51b)? That was the question Stephen asked the council who had brought him in for questioning. I believe it's a legitimate question still today.

There is a term theologians agree is biblical although the exact wording is not in the Bible; and that term is prevenient grace. It is a reference to the wooing of the Holy Spirit to draw humanity to faith in Christ. The word prevenient means to come before or precede. Grace is God's divine, unmerited favor available to sinners for salvation and the redeemed for victorious living. Prevenient Grace, therefore, is the grace of God which precedes a person's acceptance of Christ, allowing them time and opportunity to be born-again.

Jesus told His disciples, "When the Helper [the Holy Spirit] comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (John 15:26). In other words, the Holy Spirit has the responsibility to reveal and bear witness with unbelievers that Jesus is the Christ. How else would people become believers unless something on the inside of them bore witness to this truth?

The Jews were forever challenging Jesus with His authenticity as the Son of God. But this never stumbled Jesus. He said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him..." (John 6:44). Jesus knew the Father's heart was to draw all men unto Himself, meaning He would somehow attract them, tug on their hearts, and give evidence to the truths of salvation in Christ. And the Father's chosen method was the Holy Spirit.

"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8). In the process of drawing people to salvation, the Holy Spirit will give revelation (opening the eyes of their understanding) to the realities of sin and its effect on us. In addition, the Holy Spirit will reveal the exchange Jesus made on our behalf, giving us right-standing with God and the forgiveness of sin.

We could compare the early ministry of the Holy Spirit to a young man courting a young lady. With great affection, the Holy Spirit looks for opportunity to attract, allure, and woo the one whom God is drawing to Himself. The unfortunate side of this scenario is that the one being sought after can disregard or even ignore these overtures. Thus, the reason Stephen questioned the council, "Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit?"

The Apostle Paul had similar questioning for the Galatians: "O foolish Galatians! who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified" (Galatians 3:1)? He was both frustrated and baffled at how quickly some were falling away from the truth they had once embraced. You see, the Holy Spirit never quits confirming the truth to us. Even after the wooing and our acceptance of Christ as Savior, He continues to bear witness to the gospel. The Holy Spirit is our guide in this life; both before salvation and after.

Therefore, it is crucial for us to listen to the voice of the Spirit. The days are gradually growing more evil and the enemy has purposed to deceive as many as possible. "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, IF POSSIBLE, EVEN THE ELECT [OF GOD]" (Matthew 24:24). The Holy Spirit is aware of Satan's devices and as purposed as Satan is to deceive, the Holy Spirit is purposed to guide and lead us in the truth. But we mustn't disregard or ignore Him.

"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come... But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know [and have been shown] the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth... See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what He promised us—even eternal life. I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him" (1 John 2:18-27).

In other words, don't divorce the Holy Spirit. Don't turn a deaf ear to His instruction and leading. He sees and knows things beyond what we can see, touch, feel, or perceive in the natural. Remain a student of His Word. It is through God's Word that the Holy Spirit confirms these truths to us. So don't resist... embrace the One who wooed you.