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The Gift of God to You, February 16
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.
Acts 2:38
.
Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church, and
the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples.
We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the
disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time,
we need it more today.
The measure of the Holy Spirit we receive will be proportioned to
the measure of our desire and the faith exercised for it, and the use we
shall make of the light and knowledge that shall be given to us.
There are many who believe and profess to claim the Lord’s promise;
they talk
about
Christ and
about
the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit.
They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the
divine agencies. We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use
us. Through the Spirit God works in His people “to will and to do of
his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
. But many will not submit to this.
They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the
heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for
His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits
their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith,
brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches
of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to
the capacity to receive.
When the Holy Spirit is abiding in the heart, it will lead the human
agent to see his own defects of character, to pity the weakness of others,
to forgive as he wishes to be forgiven. He will be pitiful, courteous,
Christlike.
The Holy Spirit imparts love, joy, peace, strength, and consolation;
it is as a well of water springing up unto everlasting life. The blessing is
free to all.
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