Devotional - 99-11-20 - Holy Spirit 101

Some years ago a wise man of God in counseling a group of us stated "No doctrine however precious if lifted from its proper context in Scripture is immune from becoming heresy." He went on to illustrate his statement by reminding us that for a period of time the doctrine of the second coming of our Lord seemed to have been neglected, ignored or undiscovered, then suddenly Bible scholars began to see the truth that Jesus Christ had promised to return to the earth. They naturally were excited about this great event and began to preach and teach these tremendous truths. However, it was not long before there were people dressed in white robes and waiting on rooftops, having set a certain day and hour that Jesus was to come. Thus we see that even the precious doctrine of the second coming of our Lord was made into heresy. I believe that we are seeing in these days something of the same thing as it relates to the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Many people today are seeking the works of the Holy Spirit, and all kinds of things are happening, supposedly under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. The gospel of John so clearly states that the testimony of the Holy Spirit is not to magnify himself, (but he has no desire to magnify men either). It is impossible to know the works of the Holy Spirit outwardly without knowing the person of the Holy Spirit working inwardly. Fully cognizant of the promise of the Word of God that "Not by might not by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord," we quickly state that the Holy Spirit today is demonstrating his power by glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in and through the lives of believers. Spririt-filled Christians are men and women who will experience, first, victory over sin in their own lives. Secondly, while the joy and strength of the lord will be their daily portion, in a very quiet, unassuming way, the fruit of the spirit will manifest itself in the believer's life.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.

There will also be clear evidence of the filling of the spirit of God in the service of God that the Spirit-filled believer performs. It seems to me that Eph. 5:18-21 gives us the threefold evidence of the filling of the Spirit in the believer's life today. "And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ."

Paul's command is very clear: "Be filled with the spirit." The results will be inward PEACE and JOY. Outward giving of thanks and the radiance of the confidence of the Lord's Presence and Grace; and thirdly in Grace there will be the submitting of ourselves one to another in the fear (respect) of God.

In His Service,
Rick & Sandy

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