THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHRIST'S INDWELLING

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Devotion 9 of 16

THE SOURCE OF THE STRENGTH

This strength required for Christ to dwell in our hearts will be brought to us by the Holy Spirit Himself: "strengthened with might by His Spirit." If the Holy Spirit is quenched, grieved, or resisted, the strength will NOT be realized, and the objective will NOT be fulfilled. The necessity of this strengthening cannot be overstated. The Ephesians had believed the Gospel, and were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (1:13). A fervent prayer had been expressed concerning their enlightenment (1:18-20). Their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and love to all saints had been made known (1:15). Yet, they had by no means reached the apex of spiritual life, nor was Christ dwelling as fully in them as redemption provides. At this point, Paul does not urge them to run with more vigor, or fight with more energy. Rather, he prays for them to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

How is it that such a prayer is uttered? Why does not the Spirit do this work automatically? Believers receive the Holy Spirit when they are baptized (Acts 2:38), and because they are sons (Gal 4:6). Can they not simply expect the Spirit to make them adequate as a dwelling place for Jesus? It is evident that some are persuaded this is the case. I have rarely, if ever, heard such a petition in the churches, or been aware of a prevailing sense of its need. In fact, in most of the
churches with which I have been identified, the Holy Spirit is not even viewed as critical to life in the Son. Many have chosen to debate about Him, more than to seek His indispensable ministry.

Let there be no mistake about this. Only the Holy Spirit can strengthen us with Divine might. He alone can take the power that is "toward us that believe," applying it to us. This essential ministry is performed within the framework of the character of the Holy Spirit. He is the HOLY Spirit, and functions within the framework of Divine purpose and revealed truth. He does not accomplish this ministry according to man's ability, but in accord with Divine glory, and there is a vast difference between the two.

Every spiritual quality that is found in us, as well as required strength, comes from the Holy Spirit. It is His "fruit," and cannot be experienced independently of Him. Therefore, to quench the Spirit results in the certain deprivation of the fruit He bears. The outcome of resisting the Spirit is the cessation of His work within. The Spirit "searches all things, yea the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:10) in order to give them to the sons of God. He is the heavenly Administrator of Divine resources, dispensing them in accord with the purpose of God and the Mediatorial ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a sort of protocol involved here. Sin has created such a vast gulf between God and man, that an Intercessor and Administrator are required. God cannot grant strength except through Jesus Christ, and Jesus will not give it apart from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the Fountain of Divine energy, placed within the believer (John 4:14). Every aspect of spiritual life depends upon His ministry. Because we ourselves possess a spirit (1 Thess 5:23), the Holy Spirit effectively bears witness with our spirit (Rom 8:16). He is the experiential Link between us and God.

If God did not purpose it, you cannot have it. If Jesus is not mediating it, you cannot possess it. Thus, when we read of being strengthened with might "by His Spirit," we know at once that is the will of God, and the objective of Christ's mediation. Were this not the case, such a prayer could not be prayed, nor could its intention be realized. It is not possible to be more in the will of God than when the objective of this prayer is realized. How glorious is this supplication, and how common it ought to be in our churches! The benefits of seeking this blessing are wonderful. May there be a renewed interest in these things.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You in Jesus' name, for the precious ministry of the Holy Spirit.

-- Tomorrow: IN THE INNER MAN --