(Romans 6:13)
This article is from Issue 7, Called to be Filled With The Holy Spirit
By Oswald J. Smith
You tell me you have already received the Holy Spirit. Read on, this message is for you, for this experience is to be repeated again and again. For instance, in Acts 2:4 we have the first experience and in Acts 4:31, a second filling. Peter was present on both occasions, so that he was filled twice at least. It distinctly says: “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost” – exactly the words used in connection with the initial experience. The purpose of the Spirit’s indwelling fullness is for the bestowment of divine power.
We are not to live in a past experience! The question is: Am I filled now? What new anointing did I receive last week? Is my experience up-to-date? So many testify to something wonderful that occurred years ago, but their lives are so barren and dry that it is clear they long ago lost the freshness of what they received! Oh, my brethren, have we the anointing? Are we preaching “in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power?” Does the unction rest upon us? Is there a freshness in our testimony? Are people convicted, saved , edified under our ministry?
His plan for you is a Spirit-filled life. Seek to enter into His plan, place yourself in His hands to mould you according to His pattern. Allow Him to control and guide, wholly submitting, and your life will be one glad song, even in the midst of tribulation, affliction and sorrow.
“Submit to the Holy Spirit when He claims all the ground for Jesus. Submit to Him when He seeks to turn your eyes from idols, from yourself, from the past, or the dream of the future. Submit to Him when He labours patiently night and day to make you the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and to wipe out of your horizon every other thing to make room for the Lord of All. Submit to be broken, if up to now you have resisted Him. Let the Word of God be fulfilled in you every hour, that the pattern and life of Jesus may be seen, by making every verse of Scripture your own experience as He works in you. The Lord must break and revive and break again to transform His instruments, before He can use them for His highest purposes.” (Stockmayer)
Will you not just now stop reading and get alone with God? You have read sufficient already to enter in. Beloved, be not satisfied until you have definitely received the Holy Spirit in His fullness, until you are living day by day a Spirit-filled life!
Taken from Life On The Altar Publication
Issue 7 Winter 2022/2023
LIFE ON THE ALTAR 