The Promise of the Spirit Through Faith
Faith is the receptivity of soul that responds to God's presence and His Word, enabling us to receive the promise of the Spirit.
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.
Text
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)
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Faith
- Faith and God's Presence
- Faith and the Holy Spirit
- We receive the promise of the Spirit by faith
- Faith is fellowship with God and surrender to Him
Key Quotes
“Faith is fellowship with God; it is surrender to God.” — Andrew Murray
“Faith is not an independent act by which in our strength we take what God says.” — Andrew Murray
“Faith responds to two avenues of communication: God's presence and His Word.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We must cultivate a receptive soul to receive God's presence and Word.
- Faith is not just about accepting God's Word, but also surrendering to Him.
- We receive the promise of the Spirit by faith, which is fellowship with God and surrender to Him.