Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is Ephesians 5:18

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.

In his commentary, Albert Barnes asks the question, "Was any man ever made a better Christian by the use of wine? Was any minister ever better fitted to counsel an anxious sinner, or to pray, or to preach the gospel, by the use of intoxicating drinks?" The answer to the question is a resounding no, of course not!  Alcohol in any form disables rather than enables a life of piety toward God and service to mankind. It is a deadly substitute for the true joy and happiness that comes from God alone. We are instructed to not indulge the flesh in any way because such indulgences lead away from the path of Godliness and into natural and spiritual ruin. Rather than seek that which is destructive, we are instructed to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is at once, the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God. "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Romans 8:9 The identifying mark of God's people is that they are filled with His Spirit. A professing Christian who does not have the Holy Spirit living in their heart is like a car without fuel; it is virtually useless for transportation. While it may look like other vehicles, it is powerless. It cannot do what it was designed to do. We are instructed to "be filled with the Spirit." When something is filled, there is no room for anything else; all of the container is taken up. It is the same way with our hearts. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is no room in our hearts for sinful things. The world and the things of the world cannot find a space to crowd in. Our lives have come under the control of the Spirit of God! 

Being filled is a continuous process. Daily we come to the Father with surrendered hearts, seeking a fresh anointing of His Spirit. And those who come before Him daily with hearts longing for more of Him will be filled. Those who are filled with the Spirit of God are the children of God; God is in control of their lives. You can recognize them because, in character, they resemble their heavenly Father. They behave like Christ.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim