W A Criswell said,"Without the presence of the Spirit there is no conviction, no regeneration, no sanctification, no cleansing, no acceptable works. ... Life is in the quickening Spirit." Our salvation from God the Father, through the Son, is applied to each and every believer by the Holy Spirit. He works in us and through us to the glory of God.
Dr. Criswell understood that the Christian life is indeed life in the Holy Spirit. As he stated, "Life is in the quickening Spirit." That includes physical life through birth, and eternal life through the new birth.
Life in the Holy Spirit includes conviction and regeneration. Only the Holy Spirit can convict us of our need to know Jesus Christ as our Lord (John 16:7-11). Only the Holy Spirit can quicken us through new birth (John 3:5-8).
Life in the Holy Spirit is sanctification. That is our growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). The Holy Spirit teaches us, guides us, comforts us, and sustains us in our walk with the Lord. He enables our fellowship or communion with God in Christ (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Life in the Holy Spirit is our continuing relationship with the Lord Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Life in the Spirit begins and sustains our Christian life. Our perseverance in Christ is dependent upon the seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Life in the Spirit is our salvation from beginning unto completion.
