It is
only the clear dawn of the day, and not the rising of the day-star.
This is only the initial work of the Spirit. It is perfect of
its kind, but it is preparatory to another and fuller work,
about which I wish to write.
Jesus said to His disciples, concerning the Holy Spirit, that
"the world" (the unsaved, unrepentant) "cannot receive" Him,
"because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him"; because they
resist Him, and will not permit Him to work in their hearts. And
then Jesus added, "but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you...."
He had begun His work in them, but there was more to follow, for
Jesus said, "and shall be in you."
When a man is building himself a house, he is in and out of it
and round about it. But we do not say he lives in it until it has
been completed. And it is in that sense that Jesus said, "He
dwelleth with you." But when the house is finished, the owner
sweeps out all the chips and saw-dust, scrubs the floor, lays
down his carpets, hangs up his pictures, arranges his furniture,
and moves in with his family. Then he is in the fullest sense
within it. He abides there. Now, it is in that sense that Jesus
meant that the Holy Spirit should be in them. This is fitly
expressed in one of our songs:--
"Holy Spirit, come, Oh, come!
Let Thy work in me be done!
All that hinders shall be thrown aside;
Make me fit to be Thy dwelling.
Pages:
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29