The mind
of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and
peace; … You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the
Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:6, 9
One of the most
telling blows which the enemy ever struck at the life of the Church was to
create n her a groundless fear of the Holy Spirit! He has been and is so widely
misunderstood that the very mention of His Name in some circles is enough to
frighten many people into resistance.
Perhaps we may help by examining that fire which is the symbol of the Spirit's Person and Presence.
The Holy Spirit is first of all a moral flame. It is not an accident of language that He is called the HOLY Spirit, for whatever else the word "holy" may mean it does undoubtedly carry with it the idea of moral purity. And The Spirit, being God, must be absolutely and infinitely pure!
It follows then that whoever would be filled and indwelt by the Spirit should first judge his life for any hidden iniquities; he should courageously expel from his heart everything which is not of accord with the character of God as revealed by the Holy Scriptures.
At the base of all true Christian experience must lie a sound and sane morality. No joys are valid, no delights legitimate where sin is allowed to live in life or conduct. No transgression of pure righteousness dare excuse itself on the ground of superior religious experience.
"Be ye holy" is a serious commandment from the Lord of the whole earth. The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy. The holy heart alone can be the habitation of the Holy Spirit!
Perhaps we may help by examining that fire which is the symbol of the Spirit's Person and Presence.
The Holy Spirit is first of all a moral flame. It is not an accident of language that He is called the HOLY Spirit, for whatever else the word "holy" may mean it does undoubtedly carry with it the idea of moral purity. And The Spirit, being God, must be absolutely and infinitely pure!
It follows then that whoever would be filled and indwelt by the Spirit should first judge his life for any hidden iniquities; he should courageously expel from his heart everything which is not of accord with the character of God as revealed by the Holy Scriptures.
At the base of all true Christian experience must lie a sound and sane morality. No joys are valid, no delights legitimate where sin is allowed to live in life or conduct. No transgression of pure righteousness dare excuse itself on the ground of superior religious experience.
"Be ye holy" is a serious commandment from the Lord of the whole earth. The true Christian ideal is not to be happy but to be holy. The holy heart alone can be the habitation of the Holy Spirit!
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