Spiritual and Spirit-Filled (Part Six)

It is a strange and unfortunate thing that among all those who have been born of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ, very few seem to be living daily spiritual and Spirit-filled lives. Why is this? Well, a whole book or volumes could be written on this matter and the reasons could be somewhat endless. But I believe at least part of the problem is, that to many, salvation is the forgiveness of sins with the hope of heaven someday, instead of forgiveness of sins in order to live the spiritual, Spirit-filled life of a new creature in Christ. We were first saved by receiving the Spirit that we might go on to live the rest of our lives living, walking, being led by, and being filled with the Spirit. Does this describe your daily life? If not, don't be condemned. But then again, don't be content. Seek the Lord. Repent. Search the Scriptures. Open your heart and your life to the Lord. Refuse to accept a life that looks very much like those without Christ. Pursue the Lord. Confess your sins. Hunger for the presence of God. Don't make excuses for yourself: I'm busy, I have a family, I have a job, etc. These things are not the problem. Our heart is the problem. What do we love? What do we put first in our lives? What occupies our heart, our thoughts? What are we living for? What is our hope? I believe if we are willing to deal with these questions in an open and sincere way with God, we can then go on to pursue to live spiritual and Spirit-filled lives. That being said, let's continue with some of what is known of the Spirit in Acts, Romans, and First and Second Corinthians.

*Jesus gave commandment through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:2)
*Power is received to be witnesses when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:8)
*The disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:4)
*The Spirit enabled them to speak in different tongues. (Acts 2:4)
*The Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. (Acts 2:17-18)
*The poured out Spirit can cause people to prophecy. (Acts 2:18)
*The Holy Spirit is a gift received by repenting and being baptized. (Acts 2:38)
*Being filled with the Holy Spirit causes people to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)
*Sometimes the Spirit is given through the laying on of hands. (Acts 8:17-18)
*The Spirit can speak very clear and specific words to lead us. (Acts 8:29; 10:19-20; 13:2; 20:23)
*It is possible to be caught away by the Spirit. (Acts 8:39)
*The Holy Spirit can fall upon people as they are hearing the word. (Acts 10:44; 11:15)
*It is possible to foretell future events through the Spirit. (Acts 11:28)
*The Holy Spirit may send us out. (Acts 13:4)
*The Holy Spirit may forbid us at times to speak the word of God. (Act 16:6-7)
*The Holy Spirit appoints overseers for the church. (Acts 20:28)
*Jesus was designated the Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness in His resurrection. (Rom. 1:4)
*God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:5)
*The law of the Spirit of life has freed us from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)
*We are to be mindful of the things of the Spirit. (Rom. 8:5)
*The Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. (Rom. 8:11)
*The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies. (Rom. 8:11)
*By the Spirit, we are to put to death the practices of the body. (Rom. 8:13)
*We are to be led by the Spirit. (Rom. 8:14)
*The Spirit witnesses to us that we are children of God. (Rom. 8:16)
*The Spirit intercedes for us in our prayers. (Rom. 8:26)
*The kingdom of God is in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17)
*Love is of the Spirit. (Rom. 15:30)
*God reveals wonderful things through the Spirit. (I Cor. 2:10)
*The Spirit searches the depths of God. (I Cor. 2:10)
*Spiritual things can be spoken in words taught by the Spirit. (I Cor. 2:13)
*We are God's temple in which the Spirit of God dwells. (I Cor. 3:16)
*We were washed, sanctified, and justified in the Spirit of our God. (I Cor. 6:11)
*The Spirit operates to distribute spiritual gifts to the members of His body. (I Cor.12:11)
*In the Spirit we were baptized into the Body of Christ. (I Cor. 12:13)
*We have been given to drink of the Spirit. (I Cor. 12:13)
*The last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving Spirit. (I Cor. 15:45)
*The Spirit has been given to us as a pledge. (II Cor. 1:22)
*The New Testament ministry is a ministry of the Spirit. (II Cor. 3:6)
*The Spirit gives life. (II Cor. 3:17)
*Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (II Cor. 3:17)
*The Lord, the Spirit, is transforming us. (II Cor. 3:18)
*Fellowship is of the Holy Spirit. (II Cor. 13:14)

Oh, that the Spirit would be so much more to each one of us daily and moment by moment. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!

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