Short
Daily Morning Devotion March 6, 2019
Spirit Filled life: is a Way of Life,
Not Merely one time events
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire . . . And they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . . Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to
them . . . the place . . . was shaken; and they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit . . . And do not be drunk with wine . . . but be filled with the Spirit. (Act_2:3-4;
Act_4:8, Act_4:31;
and Eph_5:18)
When we are born again through faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit
comes to dwell in our lives thereafter (1Co_3:16).
At times after new birth, our lives may be repeatedly filled to overflowing by
the empowering presence of the Spirit. The testimony of the early disciples
illustrates this.
On the day of Pentecost, the 120 followers of Jesus were filled with
the Spirit. "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire . . .
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit."
Subsequently, the Apostle Peter, who was originally filled on Pentecost, was
again filled as he stood before the religious hierarchy of Israel. "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to
them." After this encounter, Peter joined the other disciples for a prayer
meeting. "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit." In this event, those who had been filled with the Spirit
at Pentecost were filled a second time. Peter, who had been so filled twice
before, was filled a third time. Therefore, it is evident that the filling of
the Spirit is not a once for all time matter.
Furthermore, being filled with the Spirit is not automatic or universal
for Christians, as is the indwelling of the Spirit. This fact can be clearly
seen in the instruction given in Eph_5:18.
"And do not be drunk with wine . . . but be filled with the
Spirit." Since this is a command and not a description, it only
becomes a personal reality to those who respond properly.
Additionally, the form of this command contains tremendous insight
concerning the fullness of the Spirit and God's desire for us. The injunction
to "be filled with the Spirit" is in the present
tense, indicating an ongoing condition. It could properly (though awkwardly) be
translated "be (always) being filled." This imperative is a call to a
way of living, not merely periodic events. It is the will of God that we actually live, day by day,
more and more, by the fullness of the Spirit's empowering work. We should humbly
pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit as we face each day, each challenge,
each opportunity of life.
Lord God of all power and might, the giver of life I rejoice that Your Holy
Spirit dwells within my heart. I thank You for those times when Your Spirit has
worked powerfully upon my life. Help me to see that the fullness of Your Spirit
is not merely an event-to-event experience, but a lifestyle to be developed.
Lord, with great expectation I humbly seek You now for a fresh, ongoing work of
the Holy Spirit in me. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
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