RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 15:26
Morning Meditation 3/29/2014
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
The giving of the Spirit is as much a promise of Christ as salvation is. John 15:26, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
We receive the adoption of sons when we are saved. Galatians 4:5, "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
We receive Christ and believe that in receiving Him we have been given the right to become sons according to This promise. John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
In the same way He has given us the right to receive the Holy Spirit and to become sons endued with power. Let us notice several conditions indicated in Scripture on which the Holy Spirit is given and received.
THE CONDITION OF FORGIVENESS
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
The only definitive statement as to when the Holy Spirit come to the believer in this age is found in Ephesians 1:13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"
God does not fill a lost man with the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness is a prerequisite to the coming of the Holy Spirit.
THE CONDITION OF SONSHIP
Galatians 4:6, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." There is nothing in this verse that would suggest that the Holy Spirit is given subsequent to salvation. It is clear that Paul is saying, "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth His Spirit into your hearts." Note carefully he says, "Because ye are sons." The Holy Spirit is not God's reward to our faithfulness but His gift to our weakness. Galatians 4:6, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Note: "because ye are sons."
THE CONDITION OF FELT NEED
Isaiah 44:3, "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" There are key words in this text that suggest that there is a longing, a felt need of the Holy Spirit, as spoken of here. Let's notice,
1. God responds to a desire. "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." The problem today is that they have all of God they want. There is no thirst.
2. God will also water the dry ground. There are a lot of churches that need a good flood of water as is mentioned in this verse.
3. God says He will also "pour My Spirit upon thy seed."
4. God commits to bless their offspring.
CONDITION OF FAITH
This spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive (John 7:39). In Galatians 3:13-14, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Some blaspheme the Holy Spirit when they turn the church service into a carnival and say it is a work of the Holy Spirit. The people who participate get a surge of adrenaline that last almost as long as it takes them to get out of church. The faith that brought Jesus into your life is the same faith that receives the Spirit to enable them to do the work of preaching the gospel.
CONDITION OF OBEDIENCE
Acts 5:32, "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
The Lord is not going to have a part in disobedience. While the Spirit indwells every believer, He only empowers the obedient.
THE CONDITION OF PRAYER
Luke 11:13, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" We have this definite promise. Our lack is on our part, not the Lord's.
It was while Jesus was praying that the Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended (Luke 3:21). It was when the disciples had prayed that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31). It was when Solomon had made an end of praying that the fire and the glory filled the house." (2 Chron. 7:1).
May the Lord bless these word to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. White
