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The Effect of Receiving the Spirit, April 29
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of
God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1
Corinthians 2:12
.
The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to exalt the Lord alone, and guided the
pens of the sacred historians, that the record of the words and works of Christ
might be given to the world. Today this Spirit is constantly at work, seeking to
draw the attention of men to the great sacrifice made upon the cross of Calvary, to
unfold to the world the love of God to man, and to open to the convicted soul the
promises of the Scriptures.
It is the Spirit that causes to shine into darkened minds the bright beams of
the Sun of Righteousness; that makes men’s hearts burn within them with an
awakened realization of the truths of eternity; that presents before the mind the
great standard of righteousness, and convinces of sin, that inspires faith in Him
who alone can save from sin; that works to transform character by withdrawing the
affections of men from those things that are temporal and perishable, and fixing
them upon the eternal inheritance. The Spirit re-creates, refines, and sanctifies
human beings, fitting them to become members of the royal family, children of
the heavenly King.
When one is fully emptied of self, when every false God is cast out of the soul,
the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the Spirit of Christ. Such a one has the
faith that purifies the soul from defilement. He is conformed to the Spirit, and he
minds the things of the Spirit. He has no confidence in self. Christ is all and in all.
He receives with meekness the truth that is constantly being unfolded, and gives
the Lord all the glory, saying, “God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.” ...
The Spirit that reveals also works in him the fruits of righteousness. Christ
is in him, “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” He is a branch of
the True Vine, and bears rich clusters of fruit to the glory of God. What is the
character of the fruit borne? The fruit of the Spirit is “love,” not hatred; “joy,”
not discontent and mourning; “peace,” not irritation, anxiety, and manufactured
trials. It is “longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance”
(
Galatians 5:22, 23
). Those who have this Spirit are earnest workers together with
God.... They speak words of solid sense, and from the treasury of the heart bring
forth pure, sacred things, after the example of Christ.—
Gospel Workers, 286-288
.
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