Evidence of Liberty in the Spirit (3)
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.—2 Cor. 4:8, 9
(3) With the freedom of the Spirit, there is courage and strength of faith against opposition. When the Spirit reveals with conviction the excellence of the state we are in, and the vileness of the state we are moved to by opposition—what is all opposition to a spiritual man? It gives him courage and strength to resist. The more opposition, the more courage he has. When the early Christians had the Spirit of God (Acts 4:29), they resisted opposition, and the more they were opposed, the more they grew. They were cast in prison and rejoiced. And the more they were imprisoned, the more courageous they were still.
There is no setting against this wind or quenching of this fire by any human power; for the Spirit of God, where he truly sets a man at liberty, gathers strength by opposition. See how the Spirit triumphed in the martyrs over fire, and imprisonment, and all opposition. The Spirit in them set them at liberty from such base fears, that he prevailed in them over everything. The Spirit of God is a victorious Spirit, freeing the soul from base fears of any creature. 'If God be for us, who can be against us?' (Rom. 8:31).
It is said of Stephen that they could not withstand the Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). And Christ promises a Spirit that no enemies will be able to withstand. God's children, in the time of opposition, when they understand themselves and what they stand for, are given by God a Spirit against which no enemies can stand. The Spirit of Christ in Stephen put such a glory upon him that he looked as if he were an angel (Acts 6:15). The Spirit of liberty gives boldness, strength, and courage against opposition. Those, therefore, who are daunted by every small thing when standing in a good cause do not have the Spirit of Christ; for where he is, he frees men from these fears, especially if the cause belongs to God.
There is no setting against this wind or quenching of this fire by any human power; for the Spirit of God, where he truly sets a man at liberty, gathers strength by opposition. See how the Spirit triumphed in the martyrs over fire, and imprisonment, and all opposition. The Spirit in them set them at liberty from such base fears, that he prevailed in them over everything. The Spirit of God is a victorious Spirit, freeing the soul from base fears of any creature. 'If God be for us, who can be against us?' (Rom. 8:31).
It is said of Stephen that they could not withstand the Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10). And Christ promises a Spirit that no enemies will be able to withstand. God's children, in the time of opposition, when they understand themselves and what they stand for, are given by God a Spirit against which no enemies can stand. The Spirit of Christ in Stephen put such a glory upon him that he looked as if he were an angel (Acts 6:15). The Spirit of liberty gives boldness, strength, and courage against opposition. Those, therefore, who are daunted by every small thing when standing in a good cause do not have the Spirit of Christ; for where he is, he frees men from these fears, especially if the cause belongs to God.
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Glorious Freedom, pp. 56-57 [62-63]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
Glorious Freedom, pp. 56-57 [62-63]
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.
Categories
Recent
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 25
December 25th, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 24
December 24th, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 23
December 23rd, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 22
December 22nd, 2024
'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — December 21
December 21st, 2024
2024
January
One Thing (1)One Thing (2)Our Thoughts and Desires Reveal Who We AreThe Christian's Desire for God's House (1)The Christian's Desire for God's House (2)What the Soul Was Made ForGod Makes the Heart TenderMaintaining a Tender Heart (1)Maintaining a Tender Heart (2)Maintaining a Tender Heart (3)Maintaining a Tender Heart (4)Test to See if Your Heart is TenderHow to Recover a Tender HeartBenefits of a Tender HeartKings Must Humble Themselves Before GodHow to Humble Ourselves (1)How to Humble Ourselves (2)How to Humble Ourselves (3)Proneness to PrideHumilityTrue versus False Humility (1)True versus False Humility (2)True versus False Humility (3)Both Outward Devotion and Inward AffectionWeeping for the ChurchWeeping and Rejoicing Mixed (1)Weeping and Rejoicing Mixed (2)God Hears Our Prayers--His PartWhen It Seems God Doesn't HearThe Privilege of PrayerGod Hears Our Prayers--Our Part
February
Death Is a Gathering (1)Death Is a Gathering (2)The Righteous Preserve their NationGod's Righteous JudgmentThe Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (1)The Importance of Knowing God Loves Me (2)Abundance Is Not an Accurate Sign of God's LoveRun to GodChristian UnityChrist In Us (1)Christ In Us (2)Christ In Us (3)Christ In Us (4)Christ In Us (5)Christ the Servant: the MediatorThe Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (1)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (2)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (3)The Bruised Reed and the Smoking Flax (4)God Knows Our FrameLittle at First (1)Little at First (2)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (1)Sometimes Tender, Sometimes Tough (2)Avoiding Unnecessary RulesThe Weaker BrotherExtend Grace to One AnotherThe Covenant of GraceThe Light of God Compared to Fire (1)
March
The Light of God Compared to Fire (2)The Light of God Compared to Fire (3)Temptation (1)Temptation (2)The Source of DiscouragementsResponding to Christ's KindnessVictory in Spiritual BattlesHis Power Not OursCourage Until the End (1)Courage Until the End (2)Our Hearts—God's TempleSin in God's PeopleSigns of God's Impending Judgment (1)Signs of God's Impending Judgment (2)Signs of God's Impending Judgment (3)Preventing God's Judgment on Our Nation (1)Preventing God's Judgment on Our Nation (2)The Ugliness of Sin (1)The Ugliness of Sin (2)Far but NearChrist's Dying Words of ComfortThe Wrong of Excessive SorrowSteps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (1)Steps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (2)Steps to Bring Comfort to our Hearts (3)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (1)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (2)When We Feel Our Faith Is Weak (3)Christ and the Holy SpiritChrist Is the Heart and Power of the Scriptures (1)Christ Is the Heart and Power of the Scriptures (2)
No Comments