The Influence of the Holy Spirit is the Life of Christ in the Soul

compiled from the writings of Ellen G. White by Frank Klin

Our standing before God depends, not upon the amount of light we have received, but
upon the use we make of what we have. Thus even the heathen who choose the right as
far as they can distinguish it are in a more favorable condition than are those who have
had great light, and profess to serve God, but who disregard the light, and by their daily
life contradict their profession. {1}

Unbelief, having once been cherished, continued to control the men of Nazareth (in
Jesus’ day). So it controlled the Sanhedrin and the nation. With priests and people, the
first rejection of the demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power was the beginning of the
end. In order to prove that their first resistance was right, they continued ever after to
cavil at the words of Christ. Their rejection of the Spirit culminated in the cross of
Calvary, in the destruction of their city, in the scattering of the nation to the winds of
heaven. {2}

Oh, how Christ longed to open to Israel the precious treasures of the truth! But such was
their spiritual blindness that it was impossible to reveal to them the truths relating to His
kingdom. They clung to their creed and their useless ceremonies when the truth of
Heaven awaited their acceptance. They spent their money for chaff and husks, when the
bread of life was within their reach. Why did they not go to the word of God, and search
diligently to know whether they were in error? The Old Testament Scriptures stated
plainly every detail of Christ's ministry, and again and again He quoted from the
prophets, and declared, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Luke 4:21. If
they had honestly searched the Scriptures, bringing their theories to the test of God's
word, Jesus need not have wept over their impenitence. He need not have declared,
"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." Luke 13:35. They might have been
acquainted with the evidence of His Messiahship, and the calamity that laid their proud
city in ruins might have been averted. But the minds of the Jews had become narrowed
by their unreasoning bigotry. The lessons of Christ revealed their deficiencies of
character, and demanded repentance. If they accepted His teachings, their practices
must be changed, and their cherished hopes relinquished. In order to be honored by
Heaven, they must sacrifice the honor of men. If they obeyed the words of this new
rabbi, they must go contrary to the opinions of the great thinkers and teachers of the
time. {3}

Truth was unpopular in Christ's day. It is unpopular in our day. It has been unpopular
ever since Satan first gave man a disrelish for it by presenting fables that lead to self-
exaltation. Do we not today meet theories and doctrines that have no foundation in the
word of God? Men cling as tenaciously to them as did the Jews to their traditions. {4}

The Jewish leaders were filled with spiritual pride. Their desire for the glorification of self
manifested itself even in the service of the sanctuary. They loved the highest seats in the
synagogue. They loved greetings in the market places, and were gratified with the sound
of their titles on the lips of men. As real piety declined, they became more jealous for
their traditions and ceremonies. {5}

1
"Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me." Psalms
51:11. Repentance as well as forgiveness is the gift of God through Christ. It is through
the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are convinced of sin, and feel our need of pardon.
None but the contrite are forgiven; but it is the grace of the Lord that makes the heart
penitent. He is acquainted with all our weaknesses and infirmities, and he will help us.
He will hear the prayer of faith; but the sincerity of prayer can be proved only by our
efforts to bring ourselves into harmony with the great moral standard which will test
every man's character. We need to open our hearts to the influence of the Spirit, and to
experience its transforming power. The reason that you do not receive more of the
saving help of God is because the channel of communication between Heaven and your
own souls is clogged by worldliness, love of display, and desire for supremacy. While
some are conforming more and more to the world's customs and maxims, we should be
molding our lives after the divine model. And our covenant-keeping God will restore unto
us the joys of His salvation, and uphold us by His free Spirit. {6}

When selfish love of the world enters the heart, spirituality dies. The very best antidote
for love of the world is the outpouring of the Spirit of God. When the love of Christ takes
full possession of the heart, we shall strive to follow the example of Him who for our
sakes became poor, that through His poverty we might be made rich. When it becomes
apparent that the Spirit of Truth weakens the affections of its disciples from the world,
and renders them self-sacrificing and benevolent, in order to save their fellow-men, the
advocates of the truth will have a powerful influence upon their hearers. {7}

The divine Spirit reveals its working on the human heart. When the Holy Spirit operates
upon the mind, the human agent will understand the statement made by Christ, "He shall
receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." Subjection to the word of God means the
restoration of one's self. Let Christ work by His Holy Spirit, and awaken you as from the
dead, and carry your minds along with His. Let Him employ your faculties. He has
created your every capability that you may better honor and glorify His Name.
Consecrate yourself to Him, and all associated with you will see that your energies are
inspired of God, that your noblest powers are called into exercise to do God's service.
The faculties once used to serve self and advance unworthy principles, once serving as
members of unrighteous purposes, will be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ and
become one with the will of God. {8}

The influence of the Holy Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul. We do not now see Christ
and speak to Him, but His Holy Spirit is just as near us in one place as another. It works
in and through every one who receives Christ. Those who know the indwelling of the
Spirit reveal the fruits of the Spirit,-"love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith." {9}

1. Desire of Ages, page 239 par. 2, 1898

2. Ibid, page 241 par. 3
3. Ibid, page 241 par. 4
4. Ibid, page 242 par. 1
5. Ibid, page 242 par. 2
6. Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, June 24, 1884, par. 4
7. Spirit of Prophecy Vol, 3, page 284 par. 1, 1878
8. Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers. -- No. 10, page 29 par. 2, 1897
9. Bible Echo, June 17, 1901 par. 6