John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; God is said to dwell in heaven; among the children of men; in Zion; among His people; in believers. The Spirit is said to dwell in His Church which is thus a temple of God, and in believers individually, who are severally His temple. It follows, then, that where the Spirit dwells His presence is indicated by certain specific effects. I. KNOWLEDGE. This is one of the chief ends for which He was promised. This knowledge includes correct intellectual convictions and spiritual discernment. To this are due orthodoxy, love of truth and adherence to it under all circumstances. To this source, also, we are indebted for the unity as well as the preservation of the faith. This is a ground of conviction beyond the reach of scepticism, and unassailable by infidelity. II. HOLINESS in all its forms. 1. Faith, confidence in God, in His word, promises, favours, etc. 2. Love — (1) To God. (2) To Christ. (3) To the brotherhood. (4) To all men. 3. Temperance. 4. Meekness. 5. Long suffering. III. HOPE, JOY, AND PEACE. The consolations of the Spirit which sustain the soul under all sorrow; whether from conviction of sin or from affliction. IV. ACTIVITY IN RESISTING SIN AND IN DOING GOOD. He is the source not only of inward spiritual life, but of outward acts of devotion and obedience to God. V. GUIDANCE. 1. By the Word. 2. By inward operation on the mind, guiding its thoughts, shaping its conclusions and exciting right feelings; not by impulse or any magic methods.Duties flowing from this doctrine — 1. To cherish the conviction that we in a special sense belong to God. 2. To reverence and obey the admonitions of the indwelling Spirit. 3. To preserve our soul and body pure as the temple of the Holy Ghost. 4. A grateful sense of this unspeakable blessing and dignity. (C. Hodge, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;WEB: I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,— |
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