The Holy Spirit's Work

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Listen from:
• BibleTruthPublishers.com
Through the work of the Holy Spirit we have fitness for the kingdom of God set forth. It must be a complete moral revolution which changes man's whole complex being or spirit. This change does not necessarily take place in a moment, but the working of the Spirit is like the way bones grow in the womb. "As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." Eccl. 11:55As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. (Ecclesiastes 11:5). It is the process of forsaking, as it is revealed to me, all that characterizes a religious man in the flesh.
"No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles.... But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new; for he saith, The old is better." Luke 5:36-3936And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. 37And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. 38But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. 39No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:36‑39).
The garment pictures man's character; the wine pictures joy. The marriage feast in John 2 shows that the new wine, the new joy for those who enter the kingdom, is better than the old.
If the work is not of the Holy Spirit there will always be the turning back. Millions in Christendom are turning back to an outward form of Christianity that can never change the spirit of fitness for the kingdom of God. Only repentance through believing the Word of God can do this. "Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:3232Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:32)); she turned back.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."