Spirit Filled Life
John 7:37-39.

The Feast of Tabernacles. God's provision for His people in the desert - Deut.16:13-15. Ritual on the last day. the High Priest poured water in front of the Temple Gate, a ritual that offered no life or flow of the Holy Spirit in the midst of God's people.
Jesus stood up and drew attention to Himself, the source of Living Waters. 'If anyone believes in Me....'. the invitation for a
spirit filled life. 
John makes it clear here that the river cannot flow without the
agency of the Holy Spirit. He is the one to release that river.
What is the river? The Word od God.
In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was restricted to a few selected people, because no perfect vehicle was found to express
Himself. The promise therefore was left for someone to be found on earth able to fully reveal the Holy Spirit's attributes to everyone.
Christ, through the sacrifice on the Cross fulfilled the Promise-
'for the the Holy Spirit was not yet given'.
John came preaching Salvation but something more was needed. The gap created by sin had to be bridged. before the Holy Spirit could come in full power. Christ had to be glorified also as Sovereign through the Ascension, then it became possible for the supplies to be returned to Heaven in order to present to the Father the efficacy of Redemption.
This was done 10 days later at Pentecost. The action came from God, nothing from man, Christ is the only source of God's supplies to us. It is the H.S. that releases in us whatever we have of God.
'If any man thirst...'. A clear invitation to be filled.

Spirit filled life
The Christian Faith is a Religion of the Spirit and unless we are continually filled with the Spirit's resources our lives will be largely ineffective and unproductive.
The Word of God gives us Two Commands concerning this issue:

1. Eph.5:18 tells us we should ensure that we are always filled with the Spirit of God.
We can only be filled if we allow the Spirit to fill us. Water always finds its own level, and so does the Spirit. The parallelism in this verse portrays someone who gets drunk. If you are drunk you are under the control of alcohol. A person filled with the Spirit is under the Spirit's control. Jesus of  Nazareth was filled with the Holy Spirit and 'went about doing good'. 
The filling is a must before Christian service. The Apostles were baptized and filled before their world-wide ministry. Compare their lives before and after the filling. Jesus said 'the wind
blows where....'. So is the person who is directed and controlled by the Holy Spirit.

2. 1 Thess.5:19, concerns the loss of the Spirit's filling.
How do we quench the filling?
Picture the filling like a spring of water that flows out. To stop the flow we have to block the spring.
Quite often this is not done on purpose but unintentionally. We can block the spring and the
flow in many ways. Even a clean obstacle can stop the flow. Quite often we bottle up the activity of the Spirit by not using His functions, gifts, etc. We can also block the activity of the Spirit by not taking heed to His promptings or impulses. The method of worship can equally quench Him. The Holy Spirit does not work in our lives by force.

SPIRIT FILLED LIFE

SONG OF SONGS 4:16.

A Highly controversial Book, but full of spiritual truths and meaning.

What makes the difference between a fragrant and a dull Christian Life?  the Ministry

and the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Here in this verse the maiden (the Church/believer) invites her beloved (Christ) to her Garden (heart). Jesus does not wish to live in barren, unfruitful hearts or lives.

At Creation God put man in a garden to live and fellowship with him.

The maiden wants the spices and the aroma from her garden to flow out. The life of Christ is pleasant. It must be transmitted from the heart.

Spices-Ingredients of the Holy Anointing Oil, symbol of the Holy Spirit-Ex,30:22-24.

Note the plants in her garden (vs.12-14). For the fragrance to flow out one things is vital:-Wind, the activity of the Holy Spirit. The maiden invites the wind to flow upon her heart- a call. 

On the day of Pentecost He came as a Mighty Rushing Wind. Why North and South Wind?(Prov.25:23). Rain will dampen the fragrance. The Holy Spirit comes from the 'Sides of the North-God's dwelling place.

The South Wind stills the place, 'Be still and know.....'. Job 37:17.

'Let my beloved come....' If our heart is a pleasant place, Christ will come to rest there. He rested in a garden before and after the Cross.

Pleasant Fruits Gal.5:22-23, produced naturally by the Holy Spirit. They are HIS fruits and HIS garden. 

The Book of Ruth                          Continuation
Chapter Four
'I will Redeem it' . We must note the details of Boaz's dealings with the whole affair the next day. Everything was done according to the Law.
To Redeem=To buy back.
For redemption to be carried out, 3 conditions had to be met by the Redeemer.
1.Had to be related to the one in need of redemption.
2.Had to be financially able to meet the requirements.
3.Must be willing to Redeem.
Boaz was able to meet the requirements to redeem Ruth. He overcame the obstacles stated by the Law because he loved Ruth. What the Law had forbidden, love overcame. In the same way our Heavenly Redeemer had to become man so that He could purchase us from the human race. He was willing-Heb.2:11-17. He did it gladly of His own accord-John 10:14-18.
He could have abandoned the task anytime had He wanted to. He could have called thousands of Angels in Gethsemane to free Him, if He so wished, 'Not my will but yours be done....'.
'I have bought all' Boaz did the work properly. He was a man of esteem in that place. The same attitude and conduct should characterize our Christian lives. We must live our Christian lives in accordance with God's Word so that people will hold us in high regard. 
Jesus, on the Cross said, 'It is finished'. He did all that the Father had sent Him to do till the very end.
We also note that the impoverished Ruth, who represents the fallen human race, had to come to Boaz and trust in His Mercy to redeem her.The price of redemption was paid by God- 1 Pet. 1:18-19. It cost God a lot to buy us back, but Salvation is free. How do we regard the sinless Blood of Christ? We must not take the work of the Cross lightly-Phil.2:12.
The transaction made by Boaz was witnessed by men. Similarly, our own redemption was not accomplished in a dark corner. Witnesses were at the Cross and at His grave. We are today His
witnessed- The ones who know.
There was also a kinsman in the story but he was unable to meet the conditions, despite sympathy. Nobody can help us except our perfect Redeemer. He satisfied all the conditions. Notice also that Boaz did the transaction while Ruth was not there. Christ is the limelight, not the Church, While we were yet sinners, Christ.....'.
When everything was settled Boaz finally took Ruth to be his wife. Ruth thus became an inheritor to Boaz. We are partakers of His inheritance. All our debts have been paid. He is too rich.
The Redemption of Ruth also meant the restoration of Naomi (Israel). Soon Christ will appear after darkness has ended with His saints (witnesses) to usher a new day.
'Be ye also ready for in such and hour as you think it not.....'                        End

The Book of Ruth               continuation
Chapter three
We may question Naomi's advice to Ruth, but this was in accordance with the Law and quite right-Deut.25:5-6. Similarly, our conduct and Christian life should be according to the Word of God. Other people may consider our conduct strange or peculiar but it is God we have to please, not people.
Ruth simply reminded Boaz of his obligation. We sometimes need to remind God of His promises,
'Ask and you shall receive'. Note how Ruth prepared herself before going to the threshing floor. Are we preparing ourselves to meet the Bridegroom? Heb.10:19-22.
The Lord Jesus told the parable about the man who went to the wedding reception without a wedding garment. He was cast out of the reception. There are no changing rooms in Heaven and no place to leave your dirty garments. This will have to be done here on earth before the rapture-
Matt.22:1-14.
Ruth rested at Boaz's feet till the morning. So does the Church now. The night of darkness will soon come before the bright morning appears, the Day of Redemption- Luk.21:10-19, 34-36.
 In the words of Boaz, Ruth rejected the pleasures of life to follow God's way. Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter and chose to identify with the people of God-Heb.11:23-27. There are always two options open to us to choose and to follow: our own way or God's way.
Ruth's claim was, 'Cover me', i.e. let me come under your protection. Boaz's response was, 'Fear not....' . Jesus said, 'He that comes to Me, I will not cast out'. Following Ruth's return home Naomi's inquiry as to the outcome of the matter was, 'Is that you my daughter?' . A strange question to her daughter in law, but it can be looked upon in other words, 'to whom do you belong, or whose are you?'
Do we belong to a religious group or to Jesus? A question that troubles many people. Do people recognize us as the people of God or religious cranks?
'Sit still my daughter'. We can imagine Ruth's mind working fast concerning the events  that took place. Sit Still. One of the most difficult lessons to learn in the Christina life: to wait on God, to be still before Him. We can seldom guess God's methods; but the outcome of His actions will always delight us -Ps.46:10.                                                                    to be continued

The Book of Ruth                              continuation
Chapter  two.
'Let me now go to the field....'. Hardly had Ruth time to settle down than she went into the harvest to work. Is our desire to meet the Lord of the harvest? Do we want a close relationship with our Lord? 'Draw nigh to Me and I will....', Jam.4:8. God has many labourers but not so many friends. Abraham was called the 'Friend of God'. Job said, 'I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear but now....' , Job.42:5. It is one thing to know about Christ but another to know Him personally.
Ruth was soon noticed by the Lord of the harvest, 'Let fall hand fulls....' . He is the One who will give you fruit for your labour. The souls belong to Him, as well as the 'Earth and the fullness thereof....', Ps.24:1.
Is our gleaning insufficient? Pray to the Lord of the harvest for results, you need the Lord's blessing. Do not be disappointed at failure, ask for His blessing, He will let a handful fall.
The gleaning is at the end of the harvest, so is the Church now. The last sinners will have to be gathered in before He comes for His Church.
Ruth obtained a good report by her conduct, hence the commendation by Boaz. Is our conduct pleasing to the Lord? She was invited to sit at his table beside the reapers, though not a reaper. If you have been commended  by the lord of the harvest you too will sit beside some well known workers. Everybody will have their reward on that day for the work done, but we are reminded that  from those who have much, much will be required.
Boaz did not just have pity on Ruth but took special knowledge and care of her. There was love in it. So too for us, the Lord of the harvest took special care to draw us near to His side. Maybe the reapers did not care much for her. Do not think that nobody cares about your difficulties, trials and Tribulations. He cares a lot about you, You are not neglected or forsaken. You are His child and he loves you.
It would appear that Ruth went to the field of Boaz by chance, but not so. God arranged it that way. Our lives are or should be guided by the Holy Spirit, ' As many as are led by the Holy Spirit...' . Rom.8:14-16.
Notice that whatever Ruth did was in total agreement with Naomi's liking and desire for her-Submission to a wise Counselor.  The same relationship should exist between the Church and the Holy Spirit.
Gleaning is a back breaking task. From morning till evening Ruth kept at it, but at the end of the day there was an added reward by Boaz for her and Naomi. Witnessing and Evangelizing can be a difficult task. There is much opposition and disappointment but at the end of the day there will be a great reward from the Lord of the Harvest- 1 Cor.15:58.
                                                                                       To be continued.

The Book of Ruth
Chapter 1.
A beautiful story set during the time of the Judges. Not only a romantic story but one with a profound message.
Ruth. A type of the Church, also represented by other women in the Bible. A love story between Boaz (a type of Christ) and Ruth (the Church). In Rev.1:5-6 we read, 'To Him that loved us....'.
The Law stated that a Jew should not marry a foreigner but this was made possible by Grace-Love. Jesus, by Grace Redeemed us from death, because He loved us. Grace-Unmerited Favour.
The Gentiles were barred by law from Israel's Congregation-Deut.23:3. Ruth was offered to the next of kin by Law but he refused. Boaz however, was able to marry her because he loved Ruth.
Similarly, Christ overcame the barrier to redeem us because He loved us-John 3:16.
In the story, we read that the family left Israel because of famine. The famine came because Israel forsook their God-Lev.26:3-5. Contrast Abraham's, Isaac's and Jacob's actions in going to Egypt.
Do not look anywhere for life except your God in times of need. He is always able to keep us.
The Family of Israelites:
Elimelech.- "God is my King". Do we stand up to our Name? Do we honour God? A name in biblical terms reveals the identity and character of the person.
Mahlon.-"Sickly one".
Chilion.-"Pining one, wasting away".
Naomi.-"Pleasant". A type of Israel bereft of her children and the blessing of Jehovah God.
Elimelech's children signified the result of his mistake. Do not be guided by circumstances, only by God.
They fled to the land of Moab (land of sin). Remember Lot and his daughters? Gen.19:29-38. They mixed with the abomination and the result was death-Separation from God and His life.
Even away from God we see His hand on His people in the person of Ruth.
'Ruth clave to her....'. -The Bride of Christ. Ruth made a decision to go with Naomi. Orpha separated from Naomi and returned to her family-The world.
Only as individuals can we decide to go with and lean upon God-His mercy and Grace. It is not a matter of Merit but we choose who we will follow.
Israel rejected their God but their rejection opened the way for the Gentiles to become fellow heirs-Rom.11:1-11. Through the fall of Naomi's family Ruth was able to enter the land promised to Israel. So, they returned home 'In the beginning of the barley harvest'.
The return happened at a special time, sowing had ended-Matt.13:36-43. The harvest is now finished, the end of the day. The Lord's return is imminent. Israel (Naomi) has already returned home but her property is occupied by others. The return meant that the bride (Ruth) is ready to face the Bridegroom. Are we ready for the coming of Christ? The marriage Supper of the Lamb-Rev.19:1-10.

Four Steps, Gal.2:20.                          Continuation
Step4. 'Who loved me and gave.....'
Christianity is a religion of Love. Without Love it becomes empty, full of ritual and hypocrisy. God
loved the world and He gave His Son. No empty promises or just talk. It was unselfish, unconditional giving. Love is not impersonal, it asks for involvement.
Jesus said, 'If you love Me keep My Words' . He asked Peter 'Do you love Me? Peter answered, Yes. Jesus said 'Feed My sheep' -commitment, caring. We are called to love God but also His people-John 4:20-21. The Cross is the unreserved expression of God's love to man. Without Love
His Church becomes a religious club, an impersonal establishment; but we must take care not to drown everything in love.
Truth and Love go together. He is the God of both-John 14:21. We cannot love sin, we condemn it;
but love the sinner. God's love will keep us on the right path, it restrains us. We love at all times, till the very end.
How do we define love? The answer is in '1 Cor.13, 'Love never fails' , come what may Love is never without recourse (source of help).
'The greatest of these is Love' . We need Love even in Eternity because Love is the perfect bond of a relationship.
Why is it that so many people find it difficult to love unreservedly? It is the mark of a fallen life: sin, self and pride are always at the forefront.
Finally, Can we love God and not our brethren? No-1 John 4:20-21.
                                                                                        End

Four Steps, Gal.2:20.                   Continuation
Step 3. 'I live by the Faith.....' The Christian life can only be lived by Faith, the world lives by Sight-2 Cor.5:7.
What does our Faith mean to us and to others? Though Paul, the Apostle, had Faith he needed the Faith of Christ to live the life of God. A life of Trust in God. God has a never-failing Faith:Victorious. Rest your faith in God, not in circumstances, not in people-Jer.17:5.
What is the Faith of the Son of God? The one He had on earth, always resting in the Heavenly Father. He never doubted His Father's will. That Faith operated within the will of God, 'Not My will but yours be done'. Does our Faith move mountains or do the mountains move us? God expects us to live lives of Faith, not beggarly ones, resting on people.
How does God's Faith work in our daily lives? A daily dependence on God for our needs, for guidance and support physically and spiritually, not just in emergencies.
Put your faith into practice. He promised to provide for us-Matt.8:20. He enriched multitudes daily. If I am busy looking after myself why should God bother to look after me? We never please God more than when we trust Him wholeheartedly. That is why He made a list of such people of faith -Heb.11:30-40.
The Bible does not say that our lives will be trouble-free when we follow Christ. Any Gospel that states the opposite is a false Gospel. However, in all these trials and tribulations Paul declares that we are more that conquerors. How? Through Him that loved us. In His Faith-Rom.8:37.
                                                                            To be continued.

FOUR STEPS, Gal.2:20.            Continuation
Step.2. 'It is no longer....' . Life in Christ does not end at Crucifixion, Resurrection follows. Good Friday was not the end. There is New Life in Christ, Victory over Death- Hope of Eternal Life.
How does it happen? . God works it out in me. Christ becomes alive, not as a historical person-Real. A spiritual Rebirth takes place by the agency of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit enters our lives, in response to our repentance and renouncement of sin and commitment to Christ. The Holy Spirit revives our spirits which were dead in sin and we become alive to God-John 3:5-Spiritual Rebirth. This regenerated act is symbolized by water Baptism.
Immersed in water, We identify with Christ's death-the grave.
Raised from the water, Resurrection and newness of life.
What next? My obligation to walk the life of obedience to His Word and grow spiritually-Col.2:6-7.
Why do so many believers not progress after that? They do not forsake the world and its pull on their lives. Their minds are not renewed-Rom.12:2.
How will I progress in this New Life? God will watch over me and keep me along the way, like the farmer that tends his fields. A patient care to help me mature in the Faith and the knowledge of God. Spiritual progress is a must in my new life. It is the will of God-Eph.4:10-16.
                                                                            To be continued

FOUR STEPS, Galatians 2:20.
A verse that sums up the Christian Life. Four fundamental steps for the Believer. Paul, the Apostle, writes to the Galatian Church, troubled by  problems of legalism, to correct them and encourage them in the Faith.
Step 1. 'I have been crucified with Christ' . The Christian life begins with Crucifixion-Death. Not a logical way to start one's life. The world wants a successful way to start life. Crucifixion was a cruel, unpleasant way to die. We identify with Christ's death, we are not persuaded. It has already happened.
Why die? We die to the flesh and sin. We die to live a new life in Christ, 1 Cor.15:35-36. All of nature speaks of death and new Life.
Christ went to the Cross willingly, He did not have to do it. We follow in His footsteps. We should be of the same mind-Heb.12:2. We must die to the old life, it is vital to do so-John 12:24. New life and Old life cannot mix.
How does it work in our lives? We consider ourselves dead to sin and to the flesh-Rom.6:5-11. The flesh, however, is still there. The old nature, its passions and desires have been crucified. We have to live this out-Col.3:5-10. What is the result? The new man is free to grow in Christ, fed by the Word of God and led by the Holy Spirit.
Will I now have any more problems? Yes. The old nature, with its desires and opposition to the new one, will give me constant problems. I have to deny these desires and opposition daily.
Now I do not battle on my own because the Holy Spirit is in my life to help me and lead me in God's path. We must see to it that our spirits are strong and not ruled by the desires of the body and the soul.                                                      To be continued

Spiritual Growth, Eph.4:11-16.                continuation
Having talked about the need to grow spiritually we also need to look at the issue of recognizing the lack of growth in our lives. The Apostle Paul dealt with this problem in Heb. 5:12-14.
Should we be concerned about the lack of spiritual growth in the life of a believer or in a Church? Should we identify it and do something about it or simply ignore it? The answer to these questions is a firm- YES, we can not ignore it.
How do we identify the lack of Spiritual Growth? From the verses in Hebrews we see that the lack of growth is due to an inability to feed on the Word of God and instead depending on other things for Spiritual Food, really spiritual junk food.
If you have been a Christian for five years or more, you should be able to open your Bible and explore the basic truths of the Word. Whats more, you should be able to share these truths with other people. Concerning this problem, the writer to the Hebrews goes on to say that these believers cannot discern between right or wrong because of their immaturity. Instead of becoming teachers they still need to be taught.
What do we mean by lack of discernment? The inability to clearly see the difference between bad and good or the difference between what is genuine and false regarding Spiritual truth in the Bible. How will we be able to instruct others if we ourselves are not sure about what the Bible teaches?
Heb.6:1-2, enumerates another mark of Spiritual Immaturity. It is the preoccupation with First Principles in the Christian Faith and an unwillingness to move on to deeper things.
What are the First Principles? Repentance, Faith toward God, Baptism, Laying on of hands, Resurrection from the dead, the coming judgement. If we put these subjects in groups we see that they are: How to be saved-How the Church runs-God's future judgement.
The amazing thing is that these subjects are termed as 'Milk' and not solid food. If we are to grow in the Faith and mature as Christians we need Solid Food.                        End.

Spiritual Growth Eph.4:11-16.                    continuation
Do the Scriptures speak to encourage us to grow spiritually or is it left to our own devices to do so?
About a dozen references in the New Testament alone testify to the fact that it is God's will and desire for us to grow spiritually and not to do so would be against God's will. In 2 Pet.3:14-18, we are told to GROW in God's Grace and Knowledge. For Spiritual Growth to take place in our lives we need Grace and the true Knowledge of God. What sort of Grace and what kind of Knowledge?
Grace-Unmerited Favour. We are saved by Grace. We do not deserve it. God simply loved us and saved us from Eternal Hell.
We are, therefore, to grow spiritually in this undeserved Grace of God, not by our own efforts, goodness, good works, etc., but by allowing God's love to lift us out of sin and enrich us spiritually. Peter stresses the fact that we are to grow 'in Grace', not into Grace.
God lifts us from the soil of sin and transplants us into the soil of His Grace. We grow by remaining and functioning in His soil of grace. We do not grow by projecting ourselves into God's Grace. We are not the ones to do it or achieve it. We Grow by already being in the soil of Grace.
Peter also talks about growing in the Knowledge of God. Lots of believers are busy gathering a lot of Christian knowledge in their minds like, historical knowledge, Church knowledge, etc. All this will help in some respects to our overall Christian life but not necessarily to grow Spiritually. As believers, we need to learn who God is and what His desire is for us to live Godly lives.

In Pro.9:10, we are told that the knowledge of God's holy ways will give us understanding- that is  the correct the ability to know the truth of God's character, His ways, His will for our lives. We need knowledge of God in our hearts if we are to grow and become healthy beings in Christ. n We cannot go around getting hold of any doctrine that we meet and expect to live normal Christian lives

Sound knowledge of God's Word will produce sound believers planted and rooted in God's soil, watered by the Word of God to produce good fruit.                          To be continued