The Fellowship of the Spirit
Lesson 80

“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9. The Bible nowhere qualifies this arresting statement. It offers no alternatives, no exceptions. The presence of the Spirit of Christ in the heart is the test of discipleship. Without Christ’s Spirit the soul is empty, void, and waste. If we know Jesus as our Savior, we shall have the presence of His Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts is to be a joyful assurance that we belong to Him. The sequence is, “After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13.

 

The Bible offers no substitute for the “fellowship of the Spirit.” (Philippians 2:1.) Fellowship involves more than a touch-and-go relationship. There should never be a time day or night when we act or think without an awareness of the Spirit’s presence. And when we heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit, this awareness awakens new and holy motivations.

The unity between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit may be illustrated by a candle: The wax represents the Father, the Source of all blessings; the wick represents the Son, the One through whom and by whom all heavenly blessings are brought to us; the fire on the candle represents the Holy Spirit, who flashes the light of truth into the soul.

 

The light of truth shining within our hearts provides evidence of the presence of the Holy Three. (1 John 1:3.) As the Father sent the Son into the world that every man might become acquainted with the Godhead, so together they have sent the Holy Spirit into the hearts of all who believe that every disciple might have light and enjoy spiritual fellowship with all members of the Godhead. (Galatians 4:4-6)

 

God wants to come into our lives by His Spirit. He will meet us just where we are. The Holy Spirit wants us to have the fellowship blessings of mutual understanding, warmth of affection, and communion. Every response to the Spirit makes this blessed fellowship more real. On the other hand, the irresponsive soul grows cold to the prompting of the Spirit. To resist light is to resist the fellowship of the Spirit, and such a course can only eventuate in a frigid and painful aloneness.

 

Many look back to when the Spirit led them to accept Jesus. However, they remain strangely silent about their daily walk with Jesus. They lack that “something more” which the abiding presence of the Spirit will furnish. Doctrines, theories, and activities are not enough. To become apostles of Christ, the disciples themselves needed something more-the fellowship of the Spirit. (Acts 1:2.)

 

Learning that the Samaritans, under the ministry of Philip, had accepted Jesus as the Christ, the church at Jerusalem sent Peter and John to minister to the new converts that “something more” the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8.) Cornelius and his household also needed something more. They were living up to all the light they had. However, they needed more. Not only did they need to know of Jesus, but also they needed to receive the infilling of His Spirit. (Acts 10.) Moreover, when Paul found disciples at Ephesus who had not even heard of the Holy Spirit, he immediately instructed them so they might receive the Spirit. (Acts 19.) All who simply know of Jesus stand in need of something more-the presence of a Person, a divine Person, and the Holy Spirit. The daily infilling of the Spirit keeps the experience fresh, new, and growing.

 

Memory Verse:

1 John 1:3.   “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

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