The indwelling Spirit.
Three stages in redemption are successively brought before us. First, cleansing: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you," etc.; second, renewal: "A new heart also will I give you," etc.; third, inspiration: "And I will put my Spirit within you." Let us now consider this third stage of the grand process of redemption.
I. THE PRESENCE OF GOD'S SPIRIT DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION OF MEN'S HEARTS AND LIVES. The third stage of redemption is closely connected with those that precede. It cannot be attained without them, any more than the top of the staircase can be reached without passing over the lower steps. We cannot reverse the order. Cleansing and renewal must precede inspiration. God does not dwell equally with all men. There are God-haunted souls and there are God-deserted souls. The Spirit of God entered into Samson ( 14:6), but Satan entered into Judas (Luke 22:3). Here is one great motive for our seeking to attain to the two earlier stages. They are the conditions on which we may enter into the highest privileges of all religion.
II. GOD PUTS HIS SPIRIT IN THE HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE. He does not merely give gifts; he also comes in his own Spirit's presence. The good man walks with God (Genesis 5:24). He enjoys God's abiding presence. He is a temple of the Holy Ghost. These facts show us that religion is not only a human experience of beliefs and devotion. Its creeds and its worship are but one side of it. Its deeper character lies on the other side, in the Divine action. In true religion God enters the soul and touches its secret centers.
III. THE PRESENCE OF GOD'S SPIRIT IS MANIFESTED BY ITS EFFECTS. We need not look for mystical signs like the incorruptible light which the monks of Mount Athos imagined they were able to see as the revelation of the very presence of God in our souls. We need not despair if immediate consciousness does not give us a vision of God's Spirit. The joy of communion should be very real. Yet it is rather by the fruits of the Spirit that we are to be assured of his presence (Galatians 5:22). They are of two kinds.
1. Graces. There are given to every soul, and consist in the illuminating, sanctifying, strengthening influence of the Holy Spirit. Thus God helps us to understand his truth, baptizes us with his holiness, and breathes into us the power of the Divine life.
2. Gifts. It is important to distinguish the graces of the Spirit from its gifts. While the former are for all Christians, the latter are special and distinctive. They vary in different ages and with different persons. There were gifts of healing, of prophesying, of tongues, in the ancient Church (Romans 12:6). Bezaleel had a gift for art (Exodus 35:30, Exodus 35:31); Samson, a gift of strength ( 13:25), etc.—all from the Spirit of God. Christ now gives gifts unto men through his Spirit—not exactly those of New Testament times, but such as the present age needs.
IV. CHRISTIANS SHOULD ACT ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDWELLING SPIRIT.
1. Making use of His aid. If we are Christ's, we are not left to our own resources. It is much to know that the gracious Spirit is with us to cheer and help.
2. Not grieving him away. We may grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). We are to remember that we are temples of the Holy Ghost, and therefore to keep the dwelling of God cigar of all defilement (1 Corinthians 6:19).