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refer to some exalted experience subsequent to salvation. How we should rejoice and be thankful when we
realize this! Some object and say that such doctrine will lead to a careless walk. If it does, then such can expect the
Lord's discipline. God's truth is always balanced and in other studies we have pointed out how the Word of God
teaches that not only is each member of the Body saved with an eternal salvation, but he becomes a servant of the
Lord with a service to discharge unto Him, and then the question of good or bad service, faithful or unfaithful comes
into the picture with the possibility of reward and divine commendation, or loss of it and shame, so that no child of
God gets away with a careless walk.
(4)
The Holy Spirit baptizes.
This is most surely a spiritual baptism on believing, and is only a figurative way of setting forth the eternal unity
of the believer with Christ in His crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension, again most obviously the work of
God alone (Rom. 6:1-11; Col. 2:10-12; Eph. 2:4-6; 4:5). This complete identification with Christ, this one-ness, is
little known or understood among believers today. A shallow evangelism so often prevails which is only a travesty
of the glorious position and privilege of each member of Christ's Body. The lack of full and deep Bible exposition,
together with the neglect of the Word of God by the individual believer is surely one of the chief causes of this
lamentable condition in the religious world around us. The result is that those who in Christ are spiritual
millionaires, are living like spiritual paupers because all this tremendous wealth is unknown to them!
(5)
The Holy Spirit is not only the Author of God's Word, He `opens the eyes', gives divine understanding and
reveals the Truth contained in the holy Scriptures (1 Cor. 2:9-14). This cannot be obtained in any other way,
certainly not by intellectual attainment or education as we have seen.
(6)
The Holy Spirit gives the earnest, a foretaste now of the coming glory of our heavenly inheritance to be
enjoyed eternally in resurrection (Eph. 1:13,14).
(7)
The Holy Spirit strengthens the believer, not only for service, but as a preparation for the indwelling of the
Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:16).
(8)
The Holy Spirit constantly intercedes for the saints and fills up the deficiency of their own praying (Rom.
8:26,27). How true it is that `we know not what we should pray for as we ought' (Rom. 8:26)! Believers who have
no problems regarding prayer must be ignorant of this fact. The disciples felt their inadequacy, for they said to the
Lord, `Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples' (Luke 11:1), and in response the Lord gave them the
earthly kingdom prayer (verses 2-4). This was not given to be repeated over and over again mechanically as is so
often done today, with the result that the words have little meaning. It was a model on which members of God's
earthly kingdom could base their praying.
If we are troubled with our prayer life, two things can help us. Prayer is not always asking God for something.
True prayer is often praise, and we shall not have to think long before we can find something for which we can
thank and praise the Lord. A thankful and prayerful heart is such a wonderful antidote to spiritual declension. The
nations of old sank into their darkness because they not only refused to give God His rightful place, but also they
were not thankful (Rom. 1:20,21). A thankless mind is one that has forgotten God, His boundless love and
overwhelming blessings. No wonder the Psalmist exhorts us to `forget not all His benefits' (Psa. 103:1,2).
The second thing is to be delivered from self and remember the needs of someone else. This is true intercession
where self is forgotten and the needs of others are paramount. We must always remember though, that all our
praying must be subject to God's will. No believer is in the position to force God to do anything, though some seem
to act as though they are. They apparently think that if they worry the Lord long enough they will get the answer
they want. This is completely unworthy and more than that, it can be dangerous.
Israel kept complaining and worrying God for flesh food when they grew tired of God's wonderful provision of
the manna. The Psalmist's comment is:
`He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul' (Psa. 106:15),
and so the answer to their prayer, instead of bringing them blessing brought misery in its place.