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The following illustration emphasizes the indispensable manner in which the Holy Spirit energizes the church for its work.
The famous Boston pastor Dr. A.J. Gordon visited the World’s Fair in Chicago. In the distance he saw a man robed in bright, gaudy Oriental clothes who appeared to be laboriously turning the crank of a pump and thereby making a mighty flow of water. Gordon was impressed with the man’s energy, his smooth motions, and his obvious physical conditioning. He was pumping a tremendous amount of water.
Drawing closer, Gordon was surprised to discover that the man was actually made of wood. Instead of turning the crank and making the water flow, the flow of water was actually turning the crank and thereby making him go!
Thus it is with those in the Lord’s work. It isn’t our efforts for him that achieve the results. The flowing river of the Holy Spirit, channeled through our lives and lips, keeps us going and yields infinite results through our ministries.
Everything to which we are called in Christ is an impossible task outside of the indwelling power of His Spirit within us. Paul speaks to this matter when he writes to the Colossians, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:28-29). The absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit controlling us in all that we do is again emphasized when he explains to the Romans, “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).
How often have we attempted to live for Christ, serve in the church, say no to sin, or minister to another in our own strength, only to discover that we were incapable of effectiveness? While we may feign an attitude of righteousness, in reality, unless we are empowered by the Spirit of God in every area of our lives, then we are unable to accomplish His purposes for His glory. We miss the blessing of obedience and we ultimately harm the work of God in the lives of others.
How can we possibly come to the place where we are filled by the Holy Spirit, doing everything for His glory and in His power?
In his book, Enjoying Intimacy with God, J. Oswald Sanders, shares one practical way in which we can work toward being filled with the Holy Spirit.
A walk in the Spirit will of necessity be a walk in accordance with the Word the Spirit has inspired. The parallel between Ephesians 5:18-21 and Colossians 3:15-17 is significant. The same results are said to flow from being filled with the Spirit in the first cast, and being filled with the Word in the second. To remain filled with the Spirit, and thus enjoy His continuing sanctifying work, will mean continuing to be filled with the Word. The relationship is obvious.
As we humbly and prayerfully seek God in His Word each day, we discover the Holy Spirit’s filling in the very words which He inspired. Of course, none of us is able to be filled by the Holy Spirit in perfection at all times. However, we should quickly confess our need for forgiveness to God and find again a Savior willing to meet our need.
How would our church be affected by this practice in our lives?! How would our families and community be impacted by lives that are so thoroughly controlled by the Holy Spirit?!
As D.L. Moody would famously state, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him; by God’s help, I aim to be that man.”
Jason