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The Comforter, January 2
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all
truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 16:13
.
How can we stand in the day of test if we do not understand the words
of Christ? He said: “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present
with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (
John 14:25, 26
). It is the
Holy Spirit that is to bring to our remembrance the words of Christ. The
theme Christ chose to dwell upon in His last discourse to His disciples was
that of the office of the Holy Spirit. He opened before them a wide tract of
truth. They were to receive His words by faith, and the Comforter, the Holy
Spirit, was to bring all things to their remembrance.
The consolation given by Christ in this promise was found in the fact
that the divine influence was to be with His followers to the end. But this
promise is not accepted and believed by the people today, and therefore is not
cherished by them, nor is its fulfillment seen in the experience of the church.
The promise of the gift of the Spirit of God is left as a matter to be little
considered by the church. It is not impressed upon the people, and the result
is only that which might be expected—spiritual drought, spiritual darkness,
spiritual declension and death. Minor matters occupy the mind and soul, but
divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church,
which would, if possessed, bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking,
although it is offered to us in infinite plentitude. Just as long as the church
are satisfied with small things, they are disqualified to receive the great things
of God. But why do we not hunger and thirst after the gift of the Holy Spirit,
since it is the means whereby the heart may be kept pure? The Lord designs
that divine power shall cooperate with human effort.
It is all-essential for the Christian to understand the meaning of the
promise of the Holy Spirit just prior to the coming of our Lord Jesus the
second time. Talk of it, pray for it, preach concerning it; for the Lord is more
willing to give the Holy Spirit than parents are to give good gifts to their
children.—
The Review and Herald, November 15, 1892
.
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