Five Operations of the Holy Spirit Part 27
What happens next? If the convert continues in the appetites of the flesh he will die spiritually, according to Paul. His condition is that of the sewer's seed that has germinated and then has died because of lack of depth or for some other reason.
The true disciple of Jesus shall bring forth the fruit of holiness. If an individual never brings forth righteous conduct but falls into hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, lust, envying, covetousness, he is manifesting the nature of the devil even though he may be sitting in church waiting for the resurrection morning.
How many are in this situation? When people witness the works of our fleshly nature, our self-seeking, greed, lying, evil speaking, competitive divisions, the willingness to put down another denomination of Christian worshipers, they are witnessing the personality of Satan. We can state that we believe Jesus to be the Saviour and that He rose from the dead, but people behold the manifestation of Satan rather than the glory of Christ.
When love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control begin to be witnessed among the members of the Body of Christ, then the world sees Christ. Deep in the heart of the unsaved person is the ability to recognize his Creator. When the unsaved behold the fruit of the Spirit they will glorify the Father who is in Heaven. When God sees the image of His Son in us He is pleased.
We are discussing the program of sanctification, which is the second death and resurrection of the overall process of redemption. We are describing the new covenant fulfilment of the golden Lampstand of the Holy Place of the Congregation. We have been speaking of the five operations of the Holy Spirit which lead in turn to five end products.
The first operation of the Holy Spirit is the assigning, directing and empowering of gifts and ministries.
The second operation of the Holy Spirit, that which we have just finished examining, is the abolishing of the guilt, tendencies, and effects of the sin to which we have been in bondage. Christ has been sent from God to destroy the works of the devil.
The third operation of the Holy Spirit is the creation of the Nature of Christ in us. Let us now go on to a deeper understanding of this all-important process.
The Holy Spirit creates the Nature of Christ in us. We have discussed previously the bearing of the fruit of the Spirit, under that heading in our book. The fruit of the Spirit is the image of Christ in us. There are many expressions in the New Testament writings pertaining to the creating of the Divine Nature in us.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (II Peter 1:3)
The Divine power of God has given us everything we need for eternal life and godly living—the two go together. There is nothing in our flesh that produces eternal life or godly conduct. We must receive the virtue that comes from the Divine Nature. We increase our eternal life and our godly conduct as we increase in the knowledge and Presence of God. O that we may know Him!
We have been called to eternal life and godly living. Righteous, holy, and obedient personality and behaviour, which is the Nature of Christ in us, is the result of the impartation and working of the Glory of almighty God.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (II Peter 1:4)
As we spend the time and effort required for contemplation of the Word of God we begin to receive of His Divine Nature. The Substance of God is imparted to us in the form of the body and blood of Christ. Jesus comes to us in the spirit realm and feeds our soul with His own body and blood. His flesh is meat indeed and His blood is drink indeed. They are our food and drink. Apart from them we have no life in us.
When we partake of the Divine Nature we have the desire to live righteously and we become able to live righteously. We receive both the desire and the ability. It is God who works in us "both to will and to do of his good pleasure." We become partakers of the Divine Nature of God.
The godly Christian character and manner of behaving cannot at any time proceed from the flesh of humans. The fruit of the Spirit comes only from the Divine Nature. We must partake of the Divine Nature if we hope to behave in a godly manner.
The world is corrupt because of lust. Lust is the craving to possess someone or something. We burn in our desire for possession.
Instead of committing our desire to God and waiting for His hand to move we are set on fire of Hell and rush out in violence, lying, stealing, murder, and every other evil work. This is the spirit of the age in which we live and it is hopelessly, totally corrupt.
We can escape this burning, devilish lust only by partaking of the Divine Nature of God that is in Christ our Lord. Christ has desires also, just like any other person. He submits His will to the Father and waits in trust and patience. Now He is waiting patiently until His enemies are brought under His feet.
Jesus cannot be persuaded to act against the will of God no matter how much He desires anything. When we partake of the Divine Nature we enter the same spirit of obedience to the Father in Heaven.