THE SPIRIT OF LIFE
D. Wright
I would like to say a brief word as to the Spirit of life. We have often been reminded, especially from John’s writings, that the only answer to the growing state of apostasy all around us is life. This life can only characterise us as having its source in the Spirit of life.
One feels for oneself that in our gatherings together not only
should right things be said, but what is said should be in the power of the Spirit of life. The Spirit would always draw attention to the Man who fills God’s presence, would draw us to where the Lord Jesus is, as we sang in our opening hymn, ‘Thy radiancy draws us apart’. The Spirit would occupy us with His glories.
In John 4: 14 the Lord Jesus says, “The water which I shall give him shall become in him a fountain of water, springing up into eternal life”. “Shall become” seems to indicate a certain process. The more I make way for the Spirit in myself the more there will be this springing up. Then in John 7: 38 the Lord says, “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water”. It raises a challenge as to whether we can be a channel through which the Spirit can make known His present mind.
In the epistle to the Romans we have the line of the flesh, which brings in death, and the line of the Spirit, which brings in life. There could not be a greater contrast; the two are totally opposed. So Romans 8: 2 says, “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death”. It has set me free to serve God. In verse 6 we have the great contrast again, “The mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit life and peace”. It is not only that one line of things is to be negated, but that the line of life springing up by the Spirit is to be in evidence.
When we come to verse 11 we have a very wonderful line of truth, that is, that the Spirit of Him that has raised up Jesus from among the dead dwells in us. Think of the power that was involved in raising Jesus from among the dead! We are told in chapter 6 that “Christ has been raised up from among the dead by the glory of the Father”, and the Spirit
of that One dwells in us. We may get used to hearing these great truths spoken of; let us stop and ponder for a moment the greatness of it, that a divine Person indwells us. The Spirit is in us, therefore He is able to quicken us. Do you have the experience in an occasion like this, or a reading meeting, of a brother saying something that quickens you, that brings about a certain springing up in you Godward? Beloved brethren, if we have this experience, it is evidence that the Spirit of life is operating amongst us. I am sure we do experience it, but I would desire to experience it more. I say again, I feel the importance of not only right things being said, but that they are said in the power of the Spirit of life; this would bring in quickening, and a greater yield for the heart of our blessed God. Satan has no answer when this life is in evidence, because it is a life which has its source in the Spirit, and cannot be imitated.
Substance of word in meeting for ministry, Redbridge
27 July 1976