The well-known spaghetti sauce brand, Prego, has a familiar motto when it describes its sauce. The Campbells’ brand wants to distinguish itself from other brands, so their point is that nothing needs to be added to the Prego sauce because, “It’s in there.” That being said, Christ followers are distinct from other religions as we have been separated. Today’s thought, “Like Prego it’s in There” refers to the Holy Spirit, who is a vital and priceless gift that has been deposited in every believer of Jesus Christ.

     The Holy Spirit gives us unending strength and plays a vital role that many Christians undervalue or overlook. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity, along with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ). The Holy Spirit is seen all throughout Scripture. But what is His role? Well, for one, He is our helper for John 14:26 tells us, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 reminds us by saying, “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”  The Holy Spirit is our fruit producer as described in Galatians 5:22 and 23. Even though there are many more functions of the Holy Spirit, you and I can be encouraged that what was deposited in us is just “Like Prego it’s in There”.

     So, what is our role, our responsibility in relation to the Holy Spirit? Initially, we are to have faith in the guidance of the Spirit, as He instructs us and directs us towards the truth of God’s Word. Jesus said in John 14:16-17 says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” Next, we must strive to live according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What does that entail? It involves us setting our minds on the Spirit. Romans 8:6-7 says, “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.” Lastly, our role as believers is to keep in step with the Spirit. I love how the ESV describes Galatians 5:25 by saying, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” This simply means when the Spirit moves you move. If He stops then you stop. When He turns to the right then you follow Him.

     My prayer is that you and I will allow the truths of God’s Word to encourage us on today. When you and I take God at His Word, the Holy Spirit will do His job.