The Holy Spirit In Galatians

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN GALATIANS

INTRODUCTION. -- The Epistle to the Galatians is a short book but a wonderfully instructive one. Its principal teaching is concerning God's way of justification. But it is very rich along other lines. One of the principal lines of thought is the contrast between living in the flesh and living in the Spirit, i.e., living in our own natural strength and living in the power of the Spirit of God. According to this book the great secret to a holy, happy, noble Christian life is living in the Spirit, crucifying the flesh with the passions and lusts thereof and walking by the Spirit of God. Let us look at some of our blessed relations to the Holy Spirit that are set forth in the book.

I. Here we have the believer Receiving the Holy Spirit. Galatians 3:2.

This receiving the Holy Spirit is a definite, conscious experience. Also Acts 19:2; 8:15-17. How received? "Hearing of faith.”

II. Here we have the Spirit Ministered to or Continually Supplied to the believer. Galatians 3:5.

This is quite different from v.2. There the Holy Spirit is given once for all, a definite experience in some definite moment of past time. The tense of the verb plainly and unmistakably shows that. But here we have a continuous supply of the Spirit's power.

III. Here we have the Holy Spirit Witnessing in our Hearts to our sonship, crying out in our hearts, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6.

IV. Here we have the believer Walking by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16.

V. Here we have Bearing of Fruit in the Spirit, or rather the Spirit Bearing Fruit in us. Galatians 5:22-23. What beautiful fruit it is! Love, joy, etc.

VI. Here we have Sowing to the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8.

How can we make it sure that we shall sow to the Spirit? By surrendering the whole life to His absolute control. Yield to Him the control of your will, of your affections, of your thoughts, of your imagination, of your actions and your words. Yield your whole being up to be filled with His presence and His power.