How do we receive the power of the Holy Spirit?
Do you know the reaction of many Christians when someone talks to them about walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit? They say, “That’s great for others, but I’m not good enough. I don’t qualify. If I were more dedicated and spent more time in Bible reading and prayer, I might eventually be worthy to walk in the Spirit.” But they’ve got it backward. The Holy Spirit is not given to those who have it all together spiritually; He is given to enable them to get it together spiritually! I’m struck with Paul’s words: “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness” (Gal. 5:16 MSG). Notice the sequence. Paul does not say that if we stop carrying out the desires of the flesh we will walk in the Spirit; rather, he says that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh! The order makes an incredible difference. Christians often ignore any thought of walking by the Spirit, because the...