Questions and Answers.

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
QUESTION.—As truly hoping in the mercy of God, and desiring in all things to please Him, but finding daily failure in myself, how may I obtain the help of His Spirit? L. D. N.
ANSWER.—Judging from the earnest tone of your letter we cannot doubt the reality of the Spirit's work in your precious soul. What' you want now is settled rest of conscience in the finished work of Christ, and rest of heart in Himself as an object to fill and satisfy you forever. We judge you are quickened, but not yet sealed. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty"; but you do not seem to be at liberty. Further, where the Spirit of God is there is power; but you do not seem to have power. We trust you may soon be led into the full blessedness which is treasured up for the believer in Christ. You must be led to the end of self in every shape and form, to give up your own righteousness, your own doings, your own feelings, in short, everything of yourself, and accept a full Christ. Then you will be "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession." (Eph. 1:13, 1413In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14)). EPH 1:13-1413In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14) All true believers are thus sealed. The Holy Ghost is the seal which God puts upon all those who truly believe in His Son. (2 Cor. 1:21, 2221Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21‑22)). We must distinguish between the work of the Holy Ghost, and His indwelling. The former is seen in the very first dawn of true conviction or repentance. The latter is connected with simple faith in a risen and glorified Saviour, "In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed." The former is called in 1 Peter 1:22Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2), "sanctification of the Spirit." The latter is His personal indwelling in the believer.