HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS ESSENCE
Part 5: Receiving the Holy Spirit
John 7:37-39 says:
37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive:…
This is an open invitation to everyone who believe in Jesus as the Saviour of the world, and not to unbelievers. The unbelievers who still commits sin have no part in this all-important experience. The number one condition therefore is to be free from sin through faith in the atoning blood of Christ and to live a holy life void of inner pollution.
After the salvation and holiness experience, Jesus says “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”
The Holy Spirit is the water of life that makes an ordinary man become extraordinary. Many of us havemissed out on this for a long time because we do not seriously thirst for the experience. One of the nature of God is that when He promises, He fulfills. Again, Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6. Where God sees nothing but a deep hunger and thirst for His spiritual gift, He is provoked to release the Spirit without measure.
When all the conditions are met, asking by faith in prayer is what will bring the Treasure into the earthen vessel of man. With or without fasting, God is moved to action where he finds importunate prayer that will not let go until this soul satisfying blessing is released. Instead of remaining indifferent; now let your prayer be: Give me, Lord, a double portion from Thee, pour Thy Spirit on me, Through eyes of faith Thy wondrous works I can see; But I need Thy helping hand, in this troubled, sinful land, Give me, Lord, a double portion from Thee.