|
(continued
from previous page)
 I
need not say I do not know how deity dwells in humanity — you
suspected that. But I will say that the search for metaphysical
“how” is unwarranted. If Christ in-dwells “by faith”
(Eph. 3:17) that is enough. And look again at Jn. 14:23. Does
this necessitate the conclusion that after we have loved the
Lord, and kept His words, then, as a third happening, the
indwelling takes place? Could not the love, the obedience, and
the indwelling be inseparable? Is not God “in” those who
love and do His will with the spirit of submission that is the
basic factor in being one of His children? (Rom. 3:29; 7:22,25;
8:1-6) There is no need to confuse this kind of “knowing God”
with memorizing the written record of His will.
When
we conceive of the Spirit “directing” “leading” or “influencing”
apart from the word, sinner or saint, there is more at stake
than differing opinions of “good men.” Does the Holy Spirit
direct regardless of the human will? — i.e., is man left free
to accept or reject that “direction?” Is the “influence”
irresistible, or can man say “No!” to the Spirit? If the
leading is irresistible free agency has been shot down. If the
alien can resist, because of the ‘old man’ “in” him, but
the saint can not resist the indwelling Holy Spirit — then the
spirit of Satan is stronger than the Spirit of God. How strongly
do we believe in free will and free agency?
But
that isn’t all. If we hold to the free will of man then the
“leading” of the Spirit must come in some way external to
the mind of man. Man must be able to approach the
| |
“lead” objectively, understand it, and
respond positively or negatively. That “leading” or “influence”
then becomes a form of teaching — in essence, revelation of
divine will in addition to the written word. Certainly we should
not allow indwelling concepts to contradict clearly taught Bible
truth.
Personal
indwelling concepts are heavily subjective. They rest on
inner “feelings” rather than external and objectively
approached evidence. Although terminology will differ with
religious expectations, an “inner light” or “still small
voice” causes someone to “feel” that God is telling him
something. The message is not subject to examination by others
nor is it “provable” by the scriptures. We have only the claims
of the claiming recipient, and they can be startling indeed.
Bro. Moser wrote, (Way of Salvation, p. 141), “Now, if one
through the influence of the Spirit claims God as Father, this
is proof of his sonship.” This abandons the principle of an
all-sufficient confirmed word, by which “fruits” may be
examined and sonship proven.
Christ
promised the Twelve “another” parakletos (advocate or
comforter) who would, in lieu of the teaching done during the
personal ministry, “teach (them) all things.” Surely we know
better than to misappropriate this promise. Our Parakletos (1
Jn. 2:1), is the resurrected Jesus Christ, who functions as our
High Priest at the throne of God (Heb. 9:25).
The
blessings of God’s Spirit are available to whosoever will hear
and obey the call of the gospel of Christ.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
