I like that last thought of yours that "the word is the vehicle for the spirit." The Holy Spirit doesn't impose or override our own spirit and life as a unique human being. It works in partnership with us to wash away our sinful nature and replace it with the nature of Christ. We have a responsibility to stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit within us (II Tim. 1: 6-7) by consuming God's Word, the Holy Bible and the Word (Jesus Christ). We can't just sit back and expect transformation to happen without doing our part in the process.
And you're right - we can reject the Holy Spirit or just cause Him to be inactive or dormant in our lives through own free will choice. God will never force us to choose life, and His way of life is not for everyone.
We need to allow the Word of God to shine the spotlight on our sinfulness, seek forgiveness and repentance, and allow the power of God within us to transform our thoughts and hearts. That's what true life is all about: the Holy Spirit unites with our spirit to produce the fruits of God's character (love, joy, peace...).
I think where we struggle, at least where I struggle, is our relationship with Jesus is unlike any other relationship we have in our lives. He is not physically here talking to us, encouraging us, and embracing us like He did when He was in the flesh with the original disciples. It is a spiritual relationship because "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24) as you noted in your posting.
We commune with God in the spiritual realm by the power of His Spirit living within us. The Comforter is there to help us absorb the Word of God that yields faith in our hearts and minds to believe and obey our Lord and Savior. He will answer all our prayers and questions in due time, and we can have an interactive conversation with Him at all times in our hearts and minds. As we take in more of God's Word and really allow it to change us, we become more At-One with Christ Jesus - it's a relationship completely different from any other we experience in this life.
And you're right - we can reject the Holy Spirit or just cause Him to be inactive or dormant in our lives through own free will choice. God will never force us to choose life, and His way of life is not for everyone.
We need to allow the Word of God to shine the spotlight on our sinfulness, seek forgiveness and repentance, and allow the power of God within us to transform our thoughts and hearts. That's what true life is all about: the Holy Spirit unites with our spirit to produce the fruits of God's character (love, joy, peace...).
I think where we struggle, at least where I struggle, is our relationship with Jesus is unlike any other relationship we have in our lives. He is not physically here talking to us, encouraging us, and embracing us like He did when He was in the flesh with the original disciples. It is a spiritual relationship because "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24) as you noted in your posting.
We commune with God in the spiritual realm by the power of His Spirit living within us. The Comforter is there to help us absorb the Word of God that yields faith in our hearts and minds to believe and obey our Lord and Savior. He will answer all our prayers and questions in due time, and we can have an interactive conversation with Him at all times in our hearts and minds. As we take in more of God's Word and really allow it to change us, we become more At-One with Christ Jesus - it's a relationship completely different from any other we experience in this life.
