The Great Defect! # 1

The Great Defect # 1

Some things in religion may be dispensed with, without affecting our eternal salvation. But there is one thing we must experience  - we must be born again. There is one blessing we must possess, and that is the Holy Spirit. As well may we expect to be saved without the Spirit of God within us! And yet, in all ages, there have been those, under a profession of religion, who have thought themselves safe without this indispensable qualification. In the days of the Apostles, there were those who were worldly people, having not the Holy Spirit." (Jude 19). This was the great defect, and this defect was the cause of all the errors they fell into, and the evil course into which they were betrayed. There is reason to fear that in these favored times, and in our privileged land, there are many professing Christ who are in just the same state - they have not the Spirit; and yet, no testimony can be plainer or more decisive than this, "If any man has not the Spirit of Christ - he is none of his." Let us attend to this subject a little.

What May Such People Have?

They may have a profession of religion, and that profession may have been made in a scriptural way. No one may be able to object to their creed - for it may be sound; nor to their conduct - for it may be moral. All the doctrines of the gospel may be believed, and all the moral requirements of the gospel may be outwardly observed.

The intellect may be enlightened, the memory may be well furnished, and the life may be generally consistent. Yet such people may not have the Spirit! 

They may fill an office in the church, and be a deacon, an elder, or even a minister. Their gifts may be respectable. Their duties may be regularly performed. Their names may stand high. Their usefulness may appear to be great. They may be loved by the Lord's people. They may be honored in the church. Yet they may be destitute of the Spirit!

They may have a false hope buoying them up, and bearing them onward, so that they may not even doubt the goodness of their state: and this false hope may arise from impressions they have felt, pleasures in religious services which they have enjoyed, and the doctrines of the gospel which they have embraced.

They may have an unfounded confidence, which makes them bold, fearless and active. A confidence founded, not on Christ, not warranted by the word - but produced by mistaking the gospel, and being ignorant of their own depravity and pollution.

They have tolerably clear light, which is the foolish virgin's lamp. They have a profession of religion, which is the foolish virgin's robe. They unite with the Lord's people, which is going forth to meet the bridegroom. But they have no oil in their vessels - they have not the Holy Spirit.

How much a man may have without this! How far a man may go without this! How long a person may remain under a profession of religion without this! With how many, a man may pass for a Christian without this! Let us beware, lest we should at last be found among those of whom it will be said, "having not the Spirit."

In What Are Such People Deficient?

Not having the Spirit - they lack true saving faith, for faith is of the operation of God, and is a fruit of the indwelling of the Spirit. They may give their assent and consent to all the great truths of the gospel, and to all that is said about Christ. But they have never been brought as poor sinners - to apply to Christ for salvation; as really lost - to trust in Him for deliverance; as condemned - to commit themselves to Him to be justified by His blood; as stripped of everything of their own, and of all confidence in the flesh - to place their confidence in Christ alone.

Not having the Spirit - they have no genuine repentance. They may be sorry that they have sinned, for fear they should be punished - but they have never had their hearts broken at the Cross, by an exhibition of the love of God to them, notwithstanding their sins. Repentance toward God flows from faith in Christ, which faith is produced by the Holy Spirit in the heart. The true penitent thinks not so much of the punishment which his sin deserves - as of the goodness, grace, and holiness of the God against whom he has sinned.

Not having the Spirit - they have no spiritual love. The natural affections may be excited, and be drawn forth toward spiritual things; but it is not spirituality which excites them - but some amiable characteristic, some moral excellence, or some natural beauty. Spirit love flows from a spiritual nature, and is fixed supremely upon God in Christ - and subordinately upon all people, and things, in proportion as they have a resemblance to Him. Spirit love never seeks its own advantage, or honor - but the honor and advantage of the object loved. This love also flows from faith, and is regulated by faith in its exercise and degrees.

Not having the Spirit - they have no enlightened zeal. They may be very zealous for a creed, a form of religion, or any of the outworks of Christianity; but for God's glory, for the honor of Christ, and for the good of souls, irrespective of sect or party - they are not, they cannot be. Zeal is the flower of love. True zeal flows from love, enlightened by divine truth, and always aims principally at the Divine glory.

~James Smith~

(continued with # 2)