Day 123
Today we look at another condition to be filled and to stay filled with the Holy Spirit. It is found in Romans 12:1-2: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." We will examine verse 1 today and verse 2 tomorrow. There is a real blessing contained in this life when one is fully submitted to God.
Charles Spurgeon explained this verse as follows: "As the pious Jew presented a bullock or a lamb upon the altar, so consecrate ye your whole selves unto the Lord, to live and to die for him. This is his due, and ought to be rendered to him." The animal in the Old Testament being sacrificed (for a burnt offering) was placed on the altar to be consumed by the fire completely. In the same way, the purging fire of the Holy Spirit will consume all the impurities out of our life as we keep ourselves on the altar as a living sacrifice. Our sacrifice is a living one and not a dead one. This means that we are to serve our Holy God in whatever way He directs. This is our joy because we have become a living sacrifice.
It should be apparent why this total submission to God as a living sacrifice is a condition to being full of the Holy Spirit. If one was not completely sold out for God, the Holy Spirit would depart because He would be grieved. Sin and the HOLY Spirit do not co-exist. If we still desired to do things our way and not His way, one could not be filled with the Holy Spirit. He requires complete submission to His will. This is not grievous; in fact it opens the door to the most meaningful life this side of heaven. God is calling His children to surrender our all to Him as a daily living sacrifice. Have you answered the call? If not, today is a great day to start!
Charles Spurgeon explained this verse as follows: "As the pious Jew presented a bullock or a lamb upon the altar, so consecrate ye your whole selves unto the Lord, to live and to die for him. This is his due, and ought to be rendered to him." The animal in the Old Testament being sacrificed (for a burnt offering) was placed on the altar to be consumed by the fire completely. In the same way, the purging fire of the Holy Spirit will consume all the impurities out of our life as we keep ourselves on the altar as a living sacrifice. Our sacrifice is a living one and not a dead one. This means that we are to serve our Holy God in whatever way He directs. This is our joy because we have become a living sacrifice.
It should be apparent why this total submission to God as a living sacrifice is a condition to being full of the Holy Spirit. If one was not completely sold out for God, the Holy Spirit would depart because He would be grieved. Sin and the HOLY Spirit do not co-exist. If we still desired to do things our way and not His way, one could not be filled with the Holy Spirit. He requires complete submission to His will. This is not grievous; in fact it opens the door to the most meaningful life this side of heaven. God is calling His children to surrender our all to Him as a daily living sacrifice. Have you answered the call? If not, today is a great day to start!
