Focus: A Wonderful Life (Pt.5)

Text: Gal.2:20

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

One aspect of the wonderful life is being filled with the Spirit of God. The Lord Jesus Christ tells His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit, and says that the Spirit "dwelleth WITH you, and shall be IN you" (Jh.14:17). 

The believer in Christ will experience the reality of the Spirit's presence and the power of His indwelling. Before going back to his Father, Christ breathed on His disciples, and said to them, "Receive you the Holy Spirit!" Then on the day of Pentecost the Spirit came upon them, and we read that "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Act.2:4). 

As you read through the book of Acts you will understand that the people of God were constantly being filled with the Spirit. In Acts.4:8, we read, "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel." An individual, by the name of Peter, was filled with the Spirit. In Acts.4:31, we read that the disciples, after prayer, "were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God." Every one in that prayer meeting was filled with the Spirit of God. In Acts.13:9, it is said of Saul, "Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him." I could go on and on. 

The Spirit brings the heavenly dimension of existence to the earthly scene. He lives in us, energizing, galvanizing and propelling us. He appoints, anoints and uses us to advance the purpose of God on the earth.

Even Jesus Christ Himself had the Spirit upon Him beyond measure. His birth or incarnation was made possible by the Spirit of God. We have it on record that He was led by the Spirit, He was full of the Spirit, and He went from place to place in the power of the Spirit. Peter tells us, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Act.10:38). The Holy Spirit makes possible the wonderful life. Micah declares, "I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord."

Gal.5:22-23 enumerates the fruit of the Spirit. By Him we begin to cultivate and bear the fruit of a beautiful attitudes and character. By the Spirit we are able to make God a proud harvester of the rich crops of life well lived.

Paul tells us in Ephesians that when we are filled with the Spirit on a continuous basis, we shall find ourselves corporately "SPEAKING to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING and MAKING melody in your heart to the Lord; GIVING thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; SUBMITTING yourselves one to another in the fear of God" (5:19-21). Getting filled with the Spirit will lead to these beneficial spiritual activities. Also, by being filled with the Spirit, we release the total control of our lives to Him. He takes charge of us and leads us in the right path of life.

I pray that you experience in full this wonderful life that is made possible by the indwelling Spirit of God! In a world demonized by all kind of spirits, we cannot afford to lead a life that is devoid of the Spirit of God. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter