God's Gift of the Spirit

[Thompson, Darryl]

God's Gift of the Spirit 

     And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of
truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither
knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in
you. John 14:16, 17  

     During the Jewish economy the influence of God's Spirit had been
seen in a marked manner, but not in full. For ages prayers had been
offered for the fulfillment of God's promise to impart His Spirit, and
not one of these earnest supplications had been forgotten.  

     Christ determined that when He ascended from this earth He would
bestow a gift on those who had believed on Him and those who should
believe on Him. What gift could He bestow rich enough to signalize and
grace His ascension to the mediatorial throne? It must be worthy of His
greatness and His royalty. He determined to give His representative, the
third person of the Godhead. This gift could not be excelled. He would
give all gifts in one, and therefore the divine Spirit, that converting,
enlightening, and sanctifying power, would be His donation. . . . It
came with a fullness and power, as if for ages it had been restrained,
but was now being poured forth upon the church. . . .  

     Believers were reconverted. Sinners united with Christians seeking
the pearl of great price. . . . Every Christian saw in his brother the
divine similitude of benevolence and love. One interest prevailed. One
object swallowed up all others. Every pulse beat in healthy concert. The
only ambition of the believers was to see who could reveal most
perfectly the likeness of Christ's character, who could do the most for
the enlargement of His kingdom. 

                    *     *     *     *     *  

     The Holy Spirit was sent as the most priceless treasure man could
receive. 

>From My Life Today - Page 36