Filled with the Spirit – Fri 7 September 2007

Living a devoted lifestyle clearly involves developing spiritual disciplines such as we have looked at this week but it is not fundamentally about the effort we put into it – it is as much about “being,” as it is about “doing”. Ultimately Paul says, we can do nothing good or worthy in our own strength.

Rather, Paul writes, we need to “be filled with the Spirit” Eph 5:18 – it is the strength of the Holy Spirit at work in us which enables us to live the devoted lifestyle. The Greek word translated “filled” indicates that this filling is a moment-by-moment, repeatable action. It is something Paul commands the believers in Ephesus to do. In other words, not all Christians are spirit-filled, though all have received the Spirit (Eph 4:30).

It is the Spirit within us who gives us the heart desire to be devoted followers of Jesus; it is the Spirit within us who reveals God’s truth to us as we read the scriptures; it is the Holy Spirit within us who prays to the Father for us; it is the Holy Spirit who feeds us with spiritual food.

The man with the demonised son that we began the week with famously said, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief”. We could pray a similar prayer – “Lord we want to be devoted to you – help me to want you more”.

Our whole life takes on a greater purpose and meaning – our actions great and small have a greater significance – as we live our lives in devotion to Jesus.

Father, fill us afresh with your Holy Spirit each day, that our hearts may be filled with the longing to serve you through a devoted lifestyle. Amen