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  THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH
  by Andrew Murray
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Summary: Faith is the receptivity of soul that responds to God's
presence and His Word, enabling us to receive the promise of the Spirit.

Topics: "The Holy Spirit", "Faith"
Scripture References: Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:20

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DESCRIPTION
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Andrew Murray emphasizes that faith, first exemplified by Abraham, is
not merely an act of our strength or a passive state but a receptive
relationship with God. It involves yielding to God's presence and
accepting His Word, which leads to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
True faith is characterized by waiting for God to speak and acting upon
His promises, enabling believers to inherit His blessings. Murray
highlights that the promise of the Spirit is received through this
active faith, which fosters fellowship and surrender to God.

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CONTENT
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The word faith is used for the first time in Scripture in connection
with Abraham. What made him so pleasing to God was that he believed God,
and so became the father of all those who believe. Just as God proved
himself to Abraham as the God who quickens the dead, He revives us by
giving us His own Spirit to dwell in us.

Faith is not an independent act by which in our strength we take what
God says. Nor is it an entirely passive state in which we allow God to
do for us whatever He will. Rather it is that receptivity of soul in
which, as God draws near and as His living power speaks to us, we yield
ourselves, accepting His word and work in our lives. Faith responds to
two avenues of communication: God's presence and His Word. Only when He
is present with us does His Word speak to us. It has been said that
faith is ''taking God at His word.'' We may have God's Word with all its
promises at our disposal and yet fail to receive the blessing we seek.
The faith that enters into the inheritance is the attitude of soul that
waits for God himself, first to speak His word and then to do what He
has spoken. Faith is fellowship with God; it is surrender to God. Such
was the faith that enabled Abraham to inherit the promises.

In all our study of the work of the Holy Spirit and of the way in which
He comes, from His first sealing us to His full indwelling, let us
remember, We receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

(Excerpted from The Andrew Murray Daily Reader in Today's Language, pg.
372)

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/andrew-murray/the-promise-of-the-spirit-through-faith/
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