June 9

Be ye filled with the Spirit. - Ephesians 5:18.

THIS is peculiarly the dispensation of the Spirit: and the influences of the Spirit are essential to the success of preaching, and all other means of grace. We are not now to look for supernatural gifts. These were necessary at first; but the pledge being once given it does not need to be repeated, otherwise it would cease to be miraculous. But the ordinary influences of the Holy Ghost are still needed, and are still granted. Ministers have still the “treasure in earthen vessels,” and are as dependent as ever upon God.

Means are not given to cut us off from God, but to lead us to him, and to induce us to cry, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” The Spirit of God is still the “Spirit of grace and supplications;” “the fruit of the Spirit” is still “in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth;” the Spirit still fills the believer with all peace, and strength, and joy.

The Bible is full of this doctrine. Let us then beware of practically denying it, or of “limiting the Holy One of Israel;” and also beware of “grieving” the Holy Spirit: remembering that it is said the “sin against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven.” We do not know what that sin is. God has not designed we should know. And the reason is obvious. If a person who wishes to preserve his grounds from thieves and intruders affixes to some part thereof a notice that spring guns are placed thereon, he would not mention the precise spot on which they were placed, because then every other part might be approached without danger; and if we would avoid the sin against the Holy Ghost-be quickened by the Spirit-pray in the Spirit-walk in the Spirit- and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit-let us give heed to the Apostle’s injunction, “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be ye filled with the Spirit:” and to the encouraging declaration of the Saviour, “If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit unto them that ask him?”