Weekly devotional 6-13-16 The Necessity of The Holy Spirit
On the day of His resurrection Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene showing her that in truth He had risen from the dead. She reported His resurrection to certain of His disciples who had secluded themselves behind closed doors because of their fear of the Jews. Later that evening Jesus appeared amongst them showing that in deed He was alive. After spending some time comforting them He imparted His Spirit (the Holy Spirit) to them and commissioned them to go forth in His name. John writes; “19Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ 20When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ 22And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:19-23 NKJV).
In giving them the Holy Spirit He was dispensing to them spiritual knowledge, understanding and empowerment. However, it was to be a limited or a restricted power until 50 days later when on the Day of Pentecost this power would be manifested. On that day these disciples would speak in languages other than their own. Jews from all over Judaea, and surrounding providences would hear the word of God in their own language; resulting in thousands of them being convinced that Jesus was indeed their long awaited Messiah, that salvation rested only in Him, and that they would commit themselves to Him trusting in Him for their salvation. A few days later a man who had been lame from birth would be miraculously healed.
In the providence of God these disciples and all who would become disciples were and are to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. They learned, and we must learn, that in our own strength we cannot fulfill Jesus’ commission of carrying the gospel to a lost world. All their efforts of the flesh would have failed, as will the efforts of our flesh. They were, and we are, in a spiritual battle. It takes one who is more powerful than they were, or we are, to be over-comers in the battle.
A.W. Pink writing of this in his exposé of the Holy Spirit wrote;
“How few today recognize that if the number of ‘missionaries’ on the foreign field were increased twenty-fold the next year, that that, of itself, would not ensure the genuine salvation of one additional heathen? Even though every new missionary were ‘sound in the faith’ and preached only ‘the Truth,’ that would not add one iota of spiritual power to the missionary forces, without the Holy Spirit’s unction and blessing! The same principle holds good everywhere. If the orthodox seminaries and the much-advertised Bible institutes turned out 100 times more men than they are now doing, the churches would not be one bit better off than they are, unless God vouchsafed a fresh outpouring of His Spirit. In like manner, no Sunday School is strengthened by the mere multiplication of its teachers.
O my readers, face the solemn fact that the greatest lack of all in Christendom today is the absence of the Holy Spirit’s power and blessing. Review the activities of the past 30 years. Millions of dollars have been freely devoted to the support of professed Christian enterprises. Bible institutes and schools have turned out ‘trained workers’ by the thousands. Bible conferences have sprung up on every side like mushrooms. Countless booklets and tracts have been printed and circulated. Time and labor have been given by an almost incalculable number of ‘personal workers.’ And with what results? Has the standard of personal piety advanced? Are the churches less worldly? Are their members more Christ-like in their daily walk? Is there more godliness in the home? Are the children more obedient and respectful? Is the Sabbath Day being increasingly sanctified and kept holy? Has the standard of honesty in business been raised?
The Need
Those blest with any spiritual discernment can return but one answer to the above questions. In spite of all the huge sums of money that have been spent, in spite of all the labor which has been put forth, in spite of all the new workers that have been added to the old ones, the spirituality of Christendom is at a far lower ebb today than it was 30 years ago. Numbers of professing Christians have increased, fleshly activities have multiplied, but spiritual power has waned. Why? Because there is a grieved and quenched Spirit in our midst. While His blessing is withheld there can be no improvement. What is needed today is for the saints to get down on their faces before God, cry unto Him in the name of Christ to so work again, that what has grieved His Spirit may be put away, and the channel of blessing once more be opened. Until the Holy Spirit is again given His rightful place in our hearts, thoughts, and activities, there can be no improvement.
Until it be recognized that we are entirely dependent upon His operations for all spiritual blessing, the root of the trouble cannot be reached. Until it be recognized that it is Not by might, (of trained workers), nor by power (of intellectual argument or persuasive appeal), but by ‘MY SPIRIT, saith the Lord’ (Zech. 4:6), there will be no deliverance from that fleshly zeal which is not according to knowledge, and which is now paralyzing Christendom. Until the Holy Spirit is honored, sought, and counted upon, the present spiritual drought must continue.”
Amen!
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
Steve Lampman