By Jason Wetz

Are You Filled?

We have clearly defined up to this point who the Holy Spirit is and how to receive Him. There is one other aspect needy of discussion; that is, what might one expect to see from another who is filled with the Spirit of the LORD. Paul, when writing to Timothy and Titus, made some very clear demands in the choice of leaders within the church (cf. I Tim. 3 and Titus 1:7).

There are seven basic requirements for the office of deacon, according to what Paul wrote. There are 17 requirements for the office of Elder (Pastor), and that does not count how wives and children should behave. They include the following:

If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, not self-willed, not quarrelsome, not given to wine, not greedy for money, holding fast the faithful word, able to exhort and convict those who contradict, not a novice, blameless as a steward of God, not quick tempered, not violent, self-controlled, hospitable, lover of what is good, just, holy, gentle, good testimony among those outside, and able to teach.

Simply what we see is a prime example of a "fine-tuned" person who is able to meet such requirements. We must not ignore these demands of Paul. Indeed these qualities are precisely what should be seen within our own lives. No! Such transformation may not occur overnight. But as you learn and obey His word, it will happen.

The Holy Spirit is being used in us today as God used His Spirit within the craftsmen of the Tabernacle (cf. Ex. 31:3). In essence that is God Himself entering godly men and women's lives to supernaturally empower us to do His will. God takes great pleasure in operating through His children. There is nothing greater that we can do but to fine tune the operation of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives, keeping an equal balance of the pure olive oil burning bright for the glory of the Father.

The question for many has probably arisen: Am I filled with the Holy Spirit or not? After reading to this point you should have enough understanding to know if you are just a beautiful golden lampstand, or rather a beautiful golden lampstand filled with pure olive oil, and burning bright for the glory of the Father. If you find yourself in the former state, I earnestly encourage you to seek counsel (ay'tsaw) from God. That is, to see in what manner He desires to give you the Holy Spirit; whether He gives you the Holy Spirit from Himself, or if He desires you to go to a holy one who is already filled with the Holy Spirit.

May, indeed, the holy Light of God burn bright within you for the glory of the Father!

Summary

The discovery of God is a never-ceasing revelation to those diligently seeking Him. Many people use the word Trinity in an attempt to comprehend the nature of God within our minds, where reference is made to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The question this document has pondered is the nature of God the Holy Spirit. This document has investigated how the Holy Spirit has intervened in past generations in the lives of God-fearing men and women, and how he intervenes now in the present, and in the future. This paper has one focus, that God the Holy Spirit may work freely and effectively in our lives.

Jason A. Wetz
8700 Newkirk Rd.
Shreve, OH  44676