BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 28TH, 1942
BROOKLYN, N.Y., JANUARY 28TH, 1942
Mr. E. S. Bazlinton.
Beloved Brother, — Your letter was long en route, but I am glad to have it. I am grieved that Mrs. Arbon died so suddenly and at such a time. ———’s word was indeed appropriate. I do not know which Mrs. Arbon is meant, but I suppose a sister-in-law of the brother who has a shop in Grantham. My wife unites in sympathy with her dear husband and family and with you all. How much sorrow of this kind there is! We have had much of it in America, but it is small indeed as compared with what our brethren in Great Britain have endured. The Ontario area in Canada has been especially affected — saints falling asleep through road collisions, falls and the like. There is touching sympathy among the brethren in these sorrows which is pleasing to God, I am sure. Besides, there is steady gain. Interest in the truth is quite cheering. Many special meetings are in prospect, God willing.
As regards the reception of the Spirit by the believer, whether his own volition enters into it, this requires thoughtful consideration. ‘Volition’ is an act or choice of the will, and if applied to the reception of the Spirit it could only mean that the desire behind it is the fruit of the sovereign work of God in the person — the new birth. Thus John 3 precedes chapter 4. In the latter the Lord says to the woman, “If thou knewest ... thou wouldst have asked of him”. “Thou wouldst have asked of him” is volition, but it is the outcome of a divinely effected state — not a mere natural wish. In chapter 7 the thought is carried forward to reception.
In Luke 11 the power of asking is illustrated by the Lord, ending in “how much rather shall the Father who is of heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him”. The illustrations are taken from natural circumstances, but they run into spiritual circumstances. Volition is there throughout, only when the Holy Spirit is sought the renewed will or desire is evidenced.
Considering this great matter therefore, we are in the realm of divine operations and their results — the results implying that while the Holy Spirit — presented in the gospel — is a gift by God to the believer, the gift supposes a desire for it, and this is the fruit of the new birth. The desire expressed in a request is volition, a formal act of the person. Thus there is a definite transaction between the Giver and the receiver.
How this takes place in a practical sense is a matter of spiritual understanding. Paul uses in Acts 19 the word “receive”, which implies an inward action, but when the apostle laid his hands on the men “the Holy Spirit came upon them;” the word ‘received’ is not used. Their wish is not alluded to, but obviously it was there. On the other hand, in Acts 8, in similar circumstances, the word “receive” is used several times. But while the word denotes inward action there is no suggestion of want of appreciation or mutual hesitation as to such a gift. The principle of ‘giving and receiving’ enters into this great matter the giving is God’s act and hence the believer is acted upon; the idea of reception is more to express his appreciation of the gift than to show his volition in the act. Morally it could not be otherwise.
We sympathise with Mr. and Mrs. Sargent in their affliction. Please convey our love to them.
I am thankful to hear of your son’s ‘exemption’ — surely a mercy. We are going through all such exercises here. Our grandson is to enter N.C.C. service shortly — what a making time for us all. But nothing is happening in this sense without our Father. We have been hearing of the dear young brothers at Shrewsbury where your younger son is.
My wife unites in love in Christ to Mrs. Bazlinton, your daughter and you, and to all the brethren,
Affectionately in Him,
James Taylor.