This takes us to our next question, "How do we grow in our faith?" How do we get to the second level? This level requires that we come to the realization that it is unequivocally impossible to live the Christian life apart from the Holy Spirit. It requires that we crucify our ego and become totally dependent on Christ. This means that we must let go of our pride and develop the capacity for humility. It is not possible for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to fall upon a person filled with pride. God's anointing comes only upon people who are totally yielded to and dependent upon Jesus Christ. To crucify our ego means to die to our fleshly desires. God cannot use us to His full purpose until we crucify ourself. Our goal is to eventually reach the level where there is none of our self and all of God in us. To be able to say, "Not my selfish will but thy divine will be done." To crucify our self literally means obeying God at any cost. The first step at this level can be found in the last chapter of the Gospel of John. Jesus has risen from the dead and before His ascension into heaven He prepares Peter for the mission that will take the rest of his life. He doesn't ask Peter if he has a seminary education or any other credentials. The only thing He asks Peter is, "Do you love Me?" We must first be able to say, "I love Christ." When we can say that with a passion, we are ready to continue our journey in the search of the Holy Spirit-filled life.
We've been talking about the Holy Spirit, but just exactly what is the Holy Spirit? The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit is not a thing but rather a person. "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own, but will speak whatever He hears, and He will declare to you the things that are to come." (John 16:13 NRSV). The Holy Spirit is referred to by many different names such as the Comforter, the Helper, the Counselor, the Paraclete, the Advocate, and the Holy Ghost, but mainly the Holy Spirit. He is also part of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
All Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit; however, not all Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul said these words, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18 NIV). The Greek word for "be filled" is second person, plural, present, imperative, and passive. This means that it is for every Christian and not just for those who feel they are special. Secondly, since this is in the present tense, we are to continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Sin can drain us of the filling of the Spirit, and thus we need to repent and pray for God to fill us again which may require being filled wilh the Spirit several times a day. Thirdly, this is an imperative which is a command rather than just a suggestion. God orders us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Fourthly, it is in the passive voice which means that God does the filling and not we.
What all of this means is that when we yield ourselves to God and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, truly believing that we cannot do anything apart from Christ, we are allowing God to take control of our lives and transform us. In this dynamic process we are being equipped with the greatest power on earth. Jesus said these words, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8 RSV). The Greek word for power, in English, is dunamis from which we get the word dynamite. It is an energy and strength beyond human comprehension. It is the same power that Jesus manifested in all of His healings and miracles. It is also the same power which is given to all Christians if they claim it. "Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases." (Luke 9:1 NKJV). We just have to believe in order to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
To grow in our faith also means reading our Bible every day; this will allow God to speak to us as we continue our spiritual journey. Praying frequently throughout the day allows us to praise God and remain in fellowship with Him. Jesus says we must believe like children which means being open to the Word of God with total dependence, trust, and sincerity. (Luke 18l:17). We just have to believe to receive the full blessings of God. Saint Augustine gave us these words to live by, "I believe in order that I may understand."
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