Ephesians 5:15-18 – Filled to the Brim
(NOTE: This is a revamp of a previous message of mine called "Would You Like a Refill?", with (I think) a better understanding of the topic. It’s also blatantly Wesleyan/Arminian.)
Author Jamie Buckingham once visited a dam on the Columbia River. He’d always thought that the water spilling over the top provided the power, not realizing that it was just froth, that deep within turbines and generators transformed the power of tons and tons of water to electricity—quietly, without notice, not like the flashy froth on top.
That’s what walking in the Spirit is like. It’s not about the stuff that bubbles over. It’s about what happens on the inside. Tonight we are looking at what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Let’s read.
Now, I know that tonite’s discussion will be at times debatable. We’ve got different theological camps here, and that’s fine. My goal is to share what I see in the Word, at the same time not to drive a wedge between us, and then to help us live for Jesus more effectively.
Well, if we are speaking about being filled with the Holy Spirit, we must first define some terms. What is our relationship to the Holy Spirit? As Christians, how are we connected to the Holy Spirit? The Bible says that when we initially ask Jesus to forgive us and lead us, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and lives inside us. The Bible also calls this the baptism by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor.12:13: “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
Now, just to clarify: the word “by” could also be translated “with” or “in”. Which means, this verse could mean that we are baptized by the Holy Spirit, baptized with the Holy Spirit, or baptized in the Holy Spirit. Each of these words fits in other passages in the NT.
Whatever word it means, it describes what happens to us at salvation. It means that we have been immersed, that is, baptized, in what God has for us. This means we have gotten a dose of His power, His grace, His mercy, His holiness, His purity, His love. We have, as Peter says, tasted and seen that the Lord is good.
Now, there are different schools of thought on this. One group would say that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happened once, at Pentecost, for all time. It was collective, for the church, and it becomes personal when someone joins a church or when a person is baptized. Another group would say that it is part and parcel of salvation. It happens at salvation, but nothing more is ever needed again, that this baptism is enough for all time. Another group would say that yes, it happens at salvation, but it continues to be improved upon with time. It happens to each person when they give their lives to Christ, but it continues to work throughout the rest of their lives.
But another group would say there is more, too. Wesleyans believe in what we call a second work of grace. Some would call it a baptism in the Holy Spirit. They would say that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at salvation, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit happens sometime after that.
Personally, I think that’s quibbling over details. You see, any kind of connection between baptism and the Holy Spirit – whether it be “in” or “with” or “by” – drops out of usage in the NT after Pentecost, with the one exception of the 1 Corinthians 12 passage I already read. Well, technically, Jesus is quoted in Acts 11:16: “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”, but that’s a quote from before Pentecost.
You see, after Pentecost, people didn’t talk so much about being baptized with or in the Spirit. They talked more about being filled with the Spirit. It’s almost as if the NT uses the word “baptism” to emphasize the moment it happens, and the word “fullness” to emphasize the ongoing-ness of it. Baptism means the instant it happens. Fullness means that its effects keep going on and on.
Now, I know that many Christians disagree over this issue. Some believe that the phrase “second work of grace” isn’t really true. Some would believe that once you are saved, once you really are born of the Spirit, once you really give your heart to Him, that’s all. You need to live it, you need to be true to it, but that’s all there is.
Wesleyans would say that there is another decision to be made, even after salvation. At salvation, you come to be forgiven. At this second part, you come to be cleansed. The first time you give Him your sins. The second time you give Him your heart. We call this “sanctification”. Or the “second blessing” or “second work of grace”.
Wesleyans refer to 1 Thessalonians 5:23 which says, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Sanctify means set apart or make holy. This is a prayer in which Paul asks that his readers would be made holy, and that it would happen before Jesus returned. That is, Paul wanted his readers to become holy while they were still alive.
Obviously, that’s a holiness that didn’t happen when they were saved, but it would happen before they died. That’s holiness in this life. It’s not perfect actions, but it’s blamelessness here and now. To be completely His, to be set apart and different from what you were, to be holy not only in name but also in actions. Paul prayed it for believers.
Now, we won’t all agree, and that’s OK. We must agree to disagree on this issue. Personally, I don’t think it needs to separate us. But clearly, there is more to the Christian life that a once-baptized-always-baptized existence. Look at our passage for tonight: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” The original language says: Always be being filled, or be continually filled. It means “go on being filled”. That’s a process, folks. That’s not a one-time-for-all-time thing. That’s an ongoing thing. Whatever you think of a “second work of grace”, this is obviously something more than what you got when you were saved.
Pastor Jack Hayford, author of the song “Majesty”, says this: “The Spirit-filled condition does not stop with a single experience, but is maintained by continually being filled.” Now, folks, I don’t want this to be confused with Pentecostal doctrine (which Hayford is), which says that the evidence of being filled with the Spirit is speaking in tongues.
Wesleyans believe that a better sign of the Spirit filling, rather than power, is purity. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” V7 goes on to say: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 says: “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” Did you catch it? Because of our love for God and what He’s done for us, we set ourselves apart. We are to live holy lives. The infilling of the Holy Spirit is not to make ourselves feel good, or to condemn others, but to be pure channels of God’s love for the world. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not about using Him, but being used by Him.
Life in the Spirit is not do’s and don’ts. Romans 14:17 says “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” It’s not so much your exact actions, but more your motives and your heart. It’s about being right with Him, delighting yourself in Him, and living in peace with Him and others. Yes, you may do things that grieve the Spirit. But that’s why we’re told to be continually filled. Keep coming back to Him.
Acts 4 shows a prayer meeting of the early church. It says that the believers there were filled with the Spirit. These bona fide Christians were experincing a fresh infilling. Whether being filled with the Spirit happens at the first work of grace (savation), or another a second work (sanctification), it’s clear: Christians need new infillings.
Positional theology is good as far as it goes. That is, you are loved by God. No matter how you feel or what happens in life, God still loves you. It’s true, regardless of how you feel. But we can’t take positional theology too far. Just because you were filled with the Spirit once, that doesn’t mean you don’t need it again and again and again.
So how do we get a fresh touch from Him? How do we get a new touch of fire in our souls? The Bible does give a how-to list in one single place. But it offers a smattering of commands from all over.
First, you have to believe there’s more God has for you. Read Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit, and see how well your life lines up. You can either disregard them, and say they’re not possible in this life, or you can believe that God wants these things for you.
You also have to ask. In Luke 11:13, Jesus said that those who ask for the Holy Spirit will have Him. Asking means you know you need Him.
You have to surrender control of every part of your life to God. Romans 12:1 says, “I plead with you therefore, brothers...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” You have to consecrate yourself, dedicate everything you have, to God. All your money, all your time, all your possessions, all your desires – everything must be given to Him. You no longer own yourself.
You also have to obey. Acts 5:32 says, “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Disobedience and sin quench His work in you. 1 Thess.5:19 says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”
And you have to stay close to him. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” This is why we pray or study or fast or whatever. It’s about keeping close to Him. Staying close to Him keeps our cups filled to overflowing.
D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.”
So what are you full of? Of yourself, and your own abilities, and pride, and righteousness? Or are you full of a greater power? Are you full of His Spirit? Have you had a fresh infilling lately? Has God Himself moved inside your heart? Would you seek Him today to change your life and fill you up?
