Command 48: Receive God’s Power
Study Question
Q: If a person is indwelled by the Holy Spirit at salvation, why did the believers in the Corinthian church succumb to such gross immorality and carnality? (See Romans 8:16 and I Corinthians 3:1–4.)
A: There are three stages of work that the Holy Spirit carries out in our lives in order to produce fruit that glorifies the Lord. The moment we become believers, we receive the Holy Spirit, and He “beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). However, the Spirit’s work has just begun.
Once we are filled with God’s Spirit, we will be tested by His Spirit. The purpose of this testing is to purify our souls [mind, will, and emotions] and conform us to the image of Christ. When we respond correctly to the tests of the Holy Spirit, then God brings upon our lives the power of the Holy Spirit. The power of God’s Spirit is actually the power to exhibit His fruit in our lives—beginning with the power to love others as God has loved us.
Although the Corinthian believers had received the Holy Spirit at salvation, they failed to pass the tests that followed. They quenched the power of God in their lives and became entangled in immorality and worldly philosophies. Only by passing the tests God chooses for us will we be able to fully experience the glory, virtue, and power of God’s Holy Spirit.
In order to allow the Holy Spirit to achieve all of His goals in our lives and to accomplish mighty works in and through us, we should thank Him for indwelling our spirits at salvation. Then we should invite Him to fill and rule our souls, and we should yield the control of our bodies to Him.
This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 7, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.