February 10

The Spirit of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1:19.

THIS is not the only place where the Spirit is ascribed to Jesus Christ. To the Romans the Apostle says, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his.” It is the same Spirit which he partook of as man, and which prepared him for the discharge of his mediatorial work. All his people are as really partakers of this Spirit as himself, but only with this difference: they have it in measure, while he has the Spirit without measure. They have an “unction from the Holy One,” but he was “anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows.” He also obtained the Spirit for us. He possesses the Spirit; from him alone we can receive it. “The Son quickeneth whom he will,” and it is with him we have immediately to do; for it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and from his fulness we may receive, “and grace for grace.”

Observe the importance of the supply of the Spirit. We need this influence continually. The Apostle needed it; ministers need it; Christians of all ages and under all circumstances need it. We need it in duties, that we may be able to perform them aright; we need it in our warfare, that we may be more than conquerors; we need it in our trials, that we may be preserved from sinking or sinning in the day of adversity, that we may acquiesce in the dispensations of Providence, and say, “Let him do what seemeth him good.”

Observe, also, the manner in which this influence is communicated. By “the supply.” As the body is sustained and refreshed day by day, so it is with regard to the Spiritual life. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Let us therefore remember this, and seek for it. Let us not rely on natural principles or former experiences, or on our frames; but let us seek to “be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.” Thus, however weak in ourselves we may be, we can become “strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”

If in ourselves we can do nothing, with Christ thus “strengthening us by his Spirit in our inner man” we can do all things.