Holy Spirit

HOLY SPIRIT

Posted by

0

ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

“Gifts are liable to abuse. In the Early Church they appealed to unspiritual men who desired them for carnal purposes and thought they had a commercial value.  They are still commercialized” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p147).

“…I…[Apostle Paul]could not speak to you as to spiritual men…for you are still fleshly….since there is jealously and strife among you…” (1 Cor 3:1,3 NASB).

“…carnal people were in possession of spiritual gifts and used them for carnal ends.  Spiritual gifts are no proof of spirituality…the gifts were…perverted to wrong ends or exercised in the wrong spirit….” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p148).

All Christians want GOD to move more and faster than He does.  We pray for spiritual gifts to help GOD.  We focus on spiritual success.  But we cannot override GOD’s will.

Pushing the issue of spiritual success pushes the HOLY SPIRIT behind us.  The great spiritual awakenings of history have fizzled out in a matter of years—even months because the pride of man thinks he can help the Spirit of GOD.

The truth is well-meaning Christians yearn for spiritual gifts so they can be viewed as great successful Christians.  They use GOD’s gifts to make themselves look successful.  It’s about them and not about GOD at all!

We all need to review why we desire spiritual gifts.   May I be loyal to the Lordship of CHRIST and loyal to the Word, for the “Word of Truth attests the Spirit of Truth.…the Spirit interprets, corroborates, verifies, and confirms the Word” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p148).

NOTE:  Genuine spiritual gifts may even appear as unsuccessful to our human minds.  GOD’s will is not our will.  It is so frightening how deluded we are!

HOLY SPIRIT

Posted by

0

THE GIFT(S) OF THE SPIRIT

“The greatest blessing we possess is the indwelling Spirit” A.W. Pink (ref#269, p99).  “The gift of the Spirit is the distinguishing feature of the Christian religion….In His indwelling Presence is the secret of all Christian experience, and in the abiding energy of His power is the dynamic of all Christian service” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p157).

“…love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit” (Col 1:5-8 MSG).

“…the Holy Spirit is promised under a twofold consideration: (1) As a Spirit of sanctification to the elect, to convert them and make them believers.  (2) As a Spirit of consolation to believers…” John Owen (ref#35, p359).  “…he [the Spirit] is described to us as a Fountain, whence all heavenly riches flow to us…” John Calvin (ref#113, p350).

“He maintains the life of grace in us….He is owner of the house, and not an underling…He commands and governs after His own will” A. W. Pink (ref#269, p100). My joy comes from being “…animated and motivated by God’s Spirit…” (Gal 5:16-18 MSG).

“Spiritual gifts are not the same as the gift of the Spirit.  The gift of the Spirit has been bestowed on all believers (John 14:16; Acts 2:38), and every member of the body should appropriate this gift” (Kenneth Boa, The Gifts of the Spirit,http://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit).  The SPIRIT when gifted produces fruit.  “Fruit belongs to character…fruit is the manifestation of cultivated life….fruit is a quality of life…fruit is a manifestation….fruit is implanted and is gradual development…Fruit is for all…” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p145-146).

“The gifts of the Spirit, on the other hand, are distributed as he decides to each person (1 Cor 12:11)” (Kenneth Boa,The Gifts of the Spirit,http://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit).  “Gifts are an evidence of the Spirit; but they are no proof of holiness…Gifts are according to the elections of the sovereign will of the Spirit of God;…Gifts are for service…Gifts are functional…Gifts are bestowed…Gifts may be given immediately and complete…gifts are for those for whom they have been prepared…We may covet gifts, but we must bear fruit.  Gifts cannot take the place of fruit” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p145-146).  The gift of the HOLY SPIRIT bears fruit; gifts of the SPIRIT can operate without producing fruit.

FATHER, it is my human nature to desire gifts more than fruit.  For the SPIRIT to produce fruit in me I must be patient and humble.  And since fruit defines a true Christian, I desire to be patient and humble over doing something extraordinary using the SPIRIT’s gifts.

HOLY SPIRIT

Posted by

0

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

“…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”(Gal 5:22-23 ESV).

“They refer to character, and set forth the kind of man the Spirit produces rather than the things He inspires him to do.  The nine elements have been divided into three sections of three each. (1) In relation to God: love, joy, peace. (2) In relation to our fellows: longsuffering, gentleness, goodness. (3) In relation to ourselves: faithfulness,…meekness, self-control” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p138).

“In newspaper English, the passage would read something like this: The Fruit of the Spirit is an affectionate, lovable disposition, a radiant spirit and a cheerful temper, a tranquil mind and a quiet manner, a forbearing patience in provoking circumstances and with trying people, a sympathetic insight and tactful helpfulness, generous judgment and a big-souled charity, loyalty and reliableness under all circumstances, humility that forgets self in the joy of others, in all things self-mastered and self-controlled, which is the final mark of perfecting” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p139).

“…fruit…grows by abiding and is perfected without noise or fuss, without anxiety or care.  God glories in fruit” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p138). “…Paul… says that they are to be regarded as the proper result of the Spirit’s operations on the soul” Barnes’ Notes (ref#16, [Gal 5:22]).

“Spiritual gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. Spiritual fruit is produced from within; spiritual gifts are imparted from without.  Fruit relates to Christlike character; gifts relate to Christian service….Paul made it clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that spiritual gifts without spiritual fruit are worthless….” (Kenneth Boa, The Gifts of the Spirit,http://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit).

HOLY SPIRIT

Posted by

0

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“Every regenerate person has the Holy Spirit, but not every regenerate person has what the Bible calls…‘The baptism with the Holy Spirit,’or ‘the Promise of the Father’” R.A. Torrey (ref#223, p115).

The “gift” of the SPIRIT everyone gets at regeneration.  This “gift” over time produces the “fruit of the SPIRIT.”  The SPIRIT works internally in the believer to produce more and more fruit.  “Gifts” have nothing to do with continually changing the believer into the image of CHRIST.  They are unique to each believer and are given whenever the SPIRIT deems best (Heb 2:4).  These “gifts” are to glorify GOD and build up His church.

“…the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a work of the Holy Spirit distinct from and additional to His regenerating work. In other words, it is one thing to be born again by the Holy Spirit, and quite another thing to be baptized with the Holy Spirit” R.A. Torrey (ref#223, p112).

“In some cases, the gifts of the Spirit coincide with natural endowments, but they transcend these natural abilities by adding a supernatural quality” (Kenneth Boa, The Gifts of the Spirit, http://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit).

The “Baptism of the SPIRIT” is called by some, “the second blessing.”  Both represent the HOLY SPIRIT moving an individual in a mighty way in the service of Christianity.  This movement has been labeled because of the evangelistic supernaturalism of it.  But the reality of it all is that the SPIRIT flows as a fountain, of Himself, of His own accord, and by His own will He proceeds. John Owen (ref#35, p361).

Theologians identify and put into subjects different activities of the SPIRIT but He does not stop one activity and start another.  He is the One SPIRIT doing as He pleases in each believer when and whatever He desires.  Our human judging leads us into false accusations.

This SPIRIT we cannot put in a box and say He does this and that in this and that time.  He leads each individual believer further into spiritual activities as he is able to accept them.  Our walks are all different.   FATHER keep us from finger-pointing because the SPIRIT is manifesting Himself differently in others than in us.

HOLY SPIRIT

Posted by

0

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

“…you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now”(Acts 1:5 ESV).

“The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a definite and distinct experience assured and verified by the witness of the Spirit.  The disciples who were commanded to tarry until they were ‘endued with power from on high’ had already received the Spirit for salvation” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p49).

“…when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world”(Acts 1:7-8 MSG).

“The effects are seen in the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost…Pentecost changed all their outlook.  The Scriptures were made luminous in the light of the Holy Ghost.  The change in their characters was even greater than the change in their knowledge. The Gospels portray these men as proud and contentious, selfish and cowardly; but the first pages of the Acts of the Apostles tell another story…Pentecost transformed them.  It was the fullness that made the difference between timidity and joyous daring, shivering weakness and the exultant power. They were jubilantly fearless and hilariously happy.  That is the difference Pentecost always makes” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p159-160).

“The Holy Ghost clothed Himself with the waiting disciples in the Upper Room, and He still clothes Himself with consecrated believers….In them He find a Body, and in Him they find the power of spiritual expression and execution…There is an end of uncertainty when the fullness of Pentecost is known” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p158-160).

“…to be full of the Spirit is something distinct and observable in some way….Evidently the Holy Spirit had such control of certain people’s lives that it created a reputation; they were acknowledged for living victorious lives and blessing others through the Spirit’s power” Jim Cymbala (ref#161, p109-110).

FATHER, praise to the HOLY SPIRIT for clothing Himself with me.  How clear He makes the Word and how easy He makes accomplishing Your will. When He clothes me I find no reason to question any thought that enters my mind.  He lights my path and I grow confidently into the likeness of Your Son.  What joy!  This is my destiny!

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

LIVING IN THE SPIRIT LONGER

…FATHER, the presence of the SPIRIT instantly causes a conflict in me. His presence is so satisfying I am tempted to seek Him simply for the feelings His closeness creates. He comes, though, to bring me sanctification through my obedience to His leading. The conflict is, do I obey the SPIRIT or just enjoy His presence?

I know from experience that as soon as I focus on the happiness the SPIRIT brings, He leaves. Haven’t revivals through the ages been short-lived because men have sought SPIRIT-filled joy instead of obedience? Hasn’t the enemy freely imitated the SPIRIT because men have longed for only the blessings the SPIRIT brings?

This life with the SPIRIT is not about happiness although He enables me to experience unimaginable joy. It is about submission—letting You, FATHER, do as You please. The SPIRIT provides Your sanctification for me—He provides what is needed for my holiness; I simply must follow Him.

I pray for the SPIRIT to conquer my life. Send out Your SPIRIT, FATHER, to take me to Your habitation—the place where Your glory dwells (Ps 26:8).