Christ's Crowning Gift: The Holy Spirit

Hey, y'all,

Hope the weekend was refreshing and that you're ready to start another week! Tom B. was kind enough to forward a quote (sounds like Ellen White?) that Richard L. shared in their Bible study group...enjoy!

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:7

"Christ declared that after His ascension, He would send to His church, as His crowning gift, the Comforter, who was to take His place. This Comforter is the Holy Spirit -- the soul of His life, the efficacy of His church, the light and life of the world...

"In the gift of the Spirit, Jesus gave to man the highest good that heaven could bestow. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world's Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon the church...

"It is the privilege of every son and daughter of God to have the indwelling of the Spirit. Let every church member kneel before God, and pray earnestly for the impartation of the Spirit...We may talk of the blessings of the Holy Spirit, but unless we prepare ouselves for its reception, of what avail are our works?"


Brought to mind a couple of texts:

Galatians 5:22&23 which describes the undeniable evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling-- "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (BTW, the "But" there indicates the contrast with verses 19-21 which are the equally undeniable evidences of me at the wheel instead of the Holy Spirit).

The other text that came to mind was Galatians 3:3-- "Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?" I love Paul's way of saying things, even if it occasionally does deliver a bit of a sting of recognition--but I'm sure it's just me, right? :- )

You've been prayed for today...