Friday May 26, 2023
Acts 5:32
“The Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Our generation of Christians differs from preceding generations in many ways.
We are a hearing and speaking generation, a reading and writing generation, a capable and industrious generation.
But I do not know if there are many in our midst who would dare to say that we are a Spirit-filled generation of Christians.
The realm of the unseen is distant and unreal to us, notwithstanding all that we read and hear and know about it. It impresses, captivates, and interests most of us only to a comparatively slight degree.
I gather this most clearly from the conversations I hear.
I am not now thinking only of the many empty and meaningless conversations which take place among Christian people. I am thinking mostly of our conversations about Christian themes. We speak of our work with fervor and enthusiasm. But as soon as the conversation turns to the hidden life it grows dull.
How rare it is to meet believers who live such a rich inner life with God that they need but open their mouths and let quiet, fervent words come from their overflowing hearts.
In our day we know very little about walking in the Spirit and overcoming the flesh. Willfulness, craving for power, passionate love of honor, envy and slander are not only unconquered but oftentimes unacknowledged sins in Christian circles.
God gives the Spirit only to those who obey Him. They are not sinless folk, but they are such as permit themselves to be convicted of their sins. And who have a will to overcome them.
“’Tis true, Thy plants are there;
But, ah, how weak and rare!”
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 