Basic HTML Version
Expecting Great Things, October 21
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
.
It is not because of any restriction on God’s part that the riches of His
grace do not flow to men. His gift is godlike. He gave with a liberality that
men do not appreciate because they do not love to receive. If all were willing
to receive, all would be filled with the Spirit. By resting content with small
blessings, we disqualify ourselves for receiving the Spirit in ... unlimited
fullness. We are too easily satisfied with a ripple on the surface, when it is
our privilege to expect the deep moving of the Spirit of God. Expecting little,
we receive little.
The necessity of the Holy Spirit’s working should be realized by all.
Unless this Spirit is accepted and cherished as the representative of Christ,
whose work it is to renew and sanctify the entire being, the momentous truths
that have been entrusted to human beings will lose their power on the mind.
It is not enough for us to have a knowledge of the truth. We are to walk and
work in love, conforming our will to the will of God. Of those who do this
the Lord declares, “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their
hearts” (
Hebrews 8:10
). God is the mighty, all-powerful agency in this work
of transformation. By His Holy Spirit He writes His law in the heart.
Thus divine relationship is renewed between God and man. “I will be to
them a God,” He says, “and they shall be to Me a people” (see
Exodus 6:7
;
Jeremiah 31:33
). “There is no attribute of My nature that I will not freely
give in order than man may reveal My image.” When we allow God to work
His will in us, we shall harbor no sin. In the refining furnace all dross will be
consumed.
When the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost, it was like a
rushing, mighty wind. [The Spirit] was given in no stinted measure; for He
filled all the place where the disciples were sitting. So will it be given to us
when our hearts are prepared to receive Him.—
The Review and Herald, June
10, 1902
.
[305]
314