Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

DEMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A new movie currently in theaters bears a title of a theme movement some decades ago: “GOD IS NOT DEAD!” These four words are indeed absolute truth. Still, questions plague nominal Christians about a perceived lack of His appearance in human affairs which gives rise to the question. Men look retrospectively, longing to see another Pentecost; another national revival; another sense of closeness to God as was evidenced a couple of centuries ago. Questions pound concerned minds: Is the Holy Spirit dead? Does God not care anymore? Is His power diminished?

This writer boldly affirms the negative to each one. God still reveals Himself to penitent hearts. Herein is the problem: God has not changed, but man has. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, Heb. 13:8. Man, on the other hand, insists on remaking God to suit himself. In self-willed worship, many have removed themselves from the immediate presence and working of the Holy Spirit, and in some cases have been turned over to a reprobate mind to meet the just reward of their obstinate determinations. Rom. 1:28.

Re-visit the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16. The man in hell was concerned about his brothers, five of whom were walking the same road of life he walked. He knew they were coming to hell, and God knew it. The tormented man’s plea for one to return from the dead to warn them was rejected. Why? The answer: they had (the writings of) Moses and the prophets; they were to hear them! God is not an arbitrary God!

Men today have the completed Word of God. There will be no additions to it or deletions from it. The Holy Spirit of God is intricately tied to it, accompanies its presentation, saves, and blesses those who properly respond to it. Men cannot worship God their way. He will be worshipped in spirit and in truth or not at all. Religious activity does not impress Him! Revisit Jesus’ words to the woman at the well in Sychar. John 4.

But what is that truth in which He must be worshipped? Pontus Pilate asked this millennia ago, John 18:38: “What is truth?” Let it be forever settled that God is true! As such, He is the author of all that is true. David said, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” Psalm 119:160. No, the Holy Spirit’s power is not diminished, but is ever ready and waiting to receive, and bless those who come to God in a contrite heart, and worship Him in truth.

FOR THOUGHT: Please consider: the Holy Spirit is not exposed by the will of men. It’s agenda is well presented in the Bible as convicting men of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come.

The Holy Spirit will draw all men to faith in Christ, but the resistance of men can cause the Holy Spirit to leave them alone in their preferred delusions. Are you sensitive enough about God’s will for your life that you study the Bible to learn His way? Today would be a great time to start doing this.

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