Part 9 (1/2)

[13] 1 John i: 20, 27.

[14] 2 Cor. i: 22. Eph. i: 13; iv: 30.

[15] 2 Cor. i: 22; v: 5. Eph. i: 14.

[16] Romans viii: 23.

THE FLOOD-TIDE OF POWER.

G.o.d's Highest Ideal.

A flood-tide is a rising tide. It flows in and fills up and spreads out.

Wherever it goes it cleanses and fertilizes and beautifies. For untold centuries Egypt has depended for its very life upon the yearly flood-tide of the Nile. The rich bottom lands of the Connecticut Valley are refertilized every spring by that river's flood-tide. The green beauty and rich fruitage of some parts of the Sacramento Valley, whose soil is flooded by the artificial irrigation-rivers, are in sharp contrast with adjoining unwatered portions.

The flood-tide is caused by influences from above. In the ocean and the portions of rivers under its influence by the heavenly bodies. In the rivers by the fall of rain and snow swelling successively the upper streams and lakes.

G.o.d's highest ideal for men is frequently expressed under the figure of a river running at flood-tide. Ezekiel's vision of the future capital of Israel gives prominence to a wonderful river gradually reaching flood-tide and exerting untold influence.

John's companion vision of the future church in the closing chapters of Revelation finds its radiating center in an equally wonderful river of water of life. When Jesus would give a picture of a christian man up to His ideal He exclaims, ”Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John's explanation years after was that He was speaking of the Holy Spirit's presence in the human life. Jesus' ideal would put our lives at the flood-tide. No ebb-tide there. No rise and fall. But a constant flowing in and filling up and flooding out.

Love is ambitious. G.o.d is love. And therefore G.o.d is ambitious for us.

In the best sense of the word He is ambitious for our lives. The old impression has been that salvation is for the soul, and for heaven.

Well, it is for the soul, and it is for heaven, but it is for the present life and for this earth. Some of G.o.d's most far-reaching plans have to do with this earth. To-night we want to get a glimpse of G.o.d's ambitious ideal for our lives down here; something of an understanding of the _results_ of the unrestrained presence within us of His Holy Spirit.

It is not surprising that there have been some mistaken ideas about the results. It has been a common supposition that somehow the baptism of the Holy Spirit is always connected with an evangelistic gift and, further, connected with marked success in soul-winning. Men have thought of Mr. Moody facing great crowds, who were swayed and melted at his words, and of people in great mult.i.tudes accepting Christ. Probably the world has never had a finer ill.u.s.tration of a Spirit-filled man than in dear old Moody. And it is not to be wondered at that the rare evangelistic gift of service with which he was endowed and the great results attending it should be so closely allied in our minds with the Spirit-filled life which he exemplified so unusually. In sharp contrast however with that conception will you note that we are told over here in Exodus of a man named Bezalel[17] who was filled with the Spirit of G.o.d that he might have skill in carpentry, in metal working, and weaving of fine fabrics, for the construction of the old tent of G.o.d. Will you note further that a company of seventy men[18] were filled in a like manner that they might be skilled in conducting the business affairs of the nation; and that Luke tells of Elizabeth[19] being filled that she might become a true mother for John.

A second misconception has been that marked success always accompanies the Spirit's control. In contrast with that will you please note the results in some of the Spirit-swayed men whom G.o.d used in Bible times.

Isaiah was called to a service that was to be barren of results, though long continued; and Jeremiah's was not only fruitless but with great personal peril. Jesus' public work led through a rough path to a crown of thorns and a cross. Stephen's testimony brought him a storm of stones. And Paul pa.s.sed through great danger and distress to a cell, and beyond, a keen-edged ax. These are leaders among Spirit-filled men.

Paul's teaching in the Corinthian epistle helps one to a clear understanding about results. He explains that while it is one Spirit dwelling in all who acknowledge Jesus as Lord, yet the _evidence_ of His presence differs widely in different persons. It is one G.o.d working all things in all persons, but with great variety in the gifts bestowed, in the service with which they are intrusted, and in the inner experiences they are conscious of.[20]

What results then may be expected to follow the filling of the Holy Spirit? It may be said in a sentence that Jesus fills us with the same Spirit that filled Himself that He may work out in us His own image and ideal, _and_ make use of us in His pa.s.sionate reaching out after others.

If we attempt to a.n.a.lyze these results we shall find them falling into three groups. First--results in the _life_, that is in the inner experiences, and the habits. Second--results in the _personality_, that is in the appearance, and the mental faculties. Third--results in _service_. Let us look a little at each of these.

A Transfigured Life.

First regarding the inner experiences. Without doubt the first result experienced will be a new sense of _peace_: a glad, quiet stillness of spirit which nothing seems able to disturb. The heart will be filled with a peace still as the stars, calm as the night, deep as the sea, fragrant as the flowers.

How many thousands of lips have lovingly lingered over those sweet strong words: ”The peace of G.o.d, which pa.s.seth all understanding, shall guard your heart and thought in Christ Jesus.” It is G.o.d's peace. It acts as an armed guard drawn up around heart and thoughts to keep unrest out. It is too subtle for intellectual a.n.a.lysis, but it steals into and steadies the heart. You cannot understand it but you can feel it. You cannot get hold of it with your head, but you can with your heart. You do not get it. It gets you. You need not understand in order to experience. Blessed are they that have not understood and yet have yielded and experienced.

”Peace beginning to be Deep as the sleep of the sea When the stars their faces gla.s.s In its blue tranquillity: Hearts of men upon earth That rested not from their birth To rest, as the wild waters rest, With the colors of heaven on their breast.”

With that will come a new intense longing to do the Master's will; to _please Him_. As the days come and go this will come to be the master-pa.s.sion of this new life. It will drive one with a new purpose and zest to studying the one book which tells His will. That book becomes literally the book of books to the Spirit-dominated man.

With that will come a new desire to talk with this new Master, who talks to you in His word, and is ever at your side sympathetically listening.

His book reveals Himself. And better acquaintance with Him will draw you oftener aside for a quiet talk. The _pleasure_ of praying will grow by leaps and bounds. Nothing so inspires to prayer as reverent listening to His voice. Frequent use of the ears will result in more frequent use of the voice in prayer and praise. And more: Prayer will come to be a part of service. Intercession will become the life mission.

But I must be frank enough to tell you of another result, which is as sure to come as these--_there will be conflict_. You will be tempted more than ever. Temptations will come with the subtlety of a snake; with the rush of a storm; with the unexpected swiftness of a lightning flash.