We have seen that, to be under the control of the Holy Spirit, requires our full consent and cooperation. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is how we live out this New Life within us. Yet just like in a school system, we grow in levels. We cannot expect a kindergarten student to solve a complicated algebraic problem, right? But we also should not expect a college student to speak in three word sentences or color with crayons all day long, either. My point is that, God knows the level of our maturity and He works with what He is given. God does not expect us to go out and live this saved life apart from the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can guide us so we can become more mature. We need the Holy Spirit to become more and more like Jesus.
We talked last month about the book “Secrets of the Vine,” and here Dr Stanley speaks on a similar topic. He reminds us that, if the Branch- us- does not remain attached to the Vine- Jesus- then we will wither. We will only experience those negative things I call “death symptoms,” and life will not seem abundant at all. Dr Stanley tells us that the Holy Spirit is the sap that moves through the Vine into the Branches, giving us the ability to bear His Fruit, or in other words, to display God’s Immaculate Character, instead of our own selfish one.
Listen to what Dr Stanley says: “As the branch draws its life from the vine, so we draw life from Christ. To abide in Christ is to draw upon His life. His life is made available through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in us.” (p64) Are we getting this? Apart from our cooperating decisions to work with the Holy Spirit, we cannot enjoy this New Life consistently. And it is those inconsistencies that this world is looking for to renounce our Holy God.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
<>< Peace, Diane
