BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT! - By Robert E. Hanna

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:18-20

In former dispensations the child of God had to "wait upon the Lord" for instruction, or "watch for a sign" or "put out a fleece". God made specific covenants and required that particular commitments be honored. The Holy Spirit "was upon" or "descended" as determined by the Lord for His purpose at the appropriate time. Unique to the dispensation of the grace of God, is the indwelling Holy Spirit. Likewise, to no prior dispensation was the believer "in Christ" and Christ in the believer.

The "unity of the Spirit" is peculiar to the Church which is Christ's Body, and the following passage may well be defined as the doctrinal statement of that Church (which today is THE Church). "There is ONE body, and ONE Spirit, even as you are called in ONE hope of your calling; ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, AND IN YOU ALL" (Eph. 4:4-6). Paul-identifies himself as the revelator of "this mystery...which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY" (Col. 1:27).

This unity creates a heretofore unknown condition of constancy and certainty which is the consistent governor of all our behavior as saints of God. Hence the many unqualified admonitions such as: "In EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). "In EVERYTHING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). "And WHATSOEVER ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col. 3:17).

Notice, we are to be "Giving thanks ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we are to be thankful for ALL THINGS, then we must include pain and suffering and adversity. Whatever our portion, we are to praise Him for it with thanksgiving! "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and be ye thankful" Col. 3:15.

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