Chapter 6: Learning
“DEAR DAD, SEND MONEY …”
Imagine a hypothetical scene with me, if you will, of a young man who has just left home and gone off to college. Once he gets settled in and learns what he will require he writes a letter home to his father.
“Dear Dad, I am fine; how are you? (typical kid greeting) I need for you to send me some money. I have to pay tuition and a registration fee, and also buy some books and supplies. I think $1000 will cover it. By the way, I need you to send cash since I don’t have any credit accounts established. Please hurry. Love, your son.”
A few days later a very thin envelope arrives from his father; and without opening it the son throws it in a drawer. He is angry! He knows that this small envelope can’t possibly have any money in it; it’s too thin. A $1000 cash would be an inch thick. He’s sure that his father only sent him a note of rejection and an admonition to learn how to stand by himself. He just doesn’t want to read this right now.
So he goes off with his friends and complains about how his father doesn’t care for him or worry about what will happen to him. And his buddies all agree and say the same things about their fathers too. What our young man doesn’t know is that inside the envelope is a letter that reads like this.
“Dear son, I’m glad to be able to help you as you begin learning to stand on your own. I’m always here when you need anything. I’m not enclosing cash because it’s dangerous to send money through the mail. Instead here’s a check for $10,000. Take it to your local bank and open an account. That way you can not only draw out the $1000 you need now, but there will be extra for things you’ll need throughout your studies. Love, Dad.”
Now I ask you: Was the son given a great blessing from his father? Yes! Did he receive it? That is, was he aware of what was already in his possession? No! Why? The blessing his father sent wasn’t in the form he was looking for; and he is not noticing or paying attention to the instructions his father is giving on how to gain access to the blessing.
Can you draw any parallels between this story and our own awareness of the HS within us? Once you’ve been anointed to receive the HS and the elder has told you the HS is present, He is there! We just need to pay attention to the instructions and become aware of what we already have in our possession within. There is also a similar parallel with forgiveness; some people just can’t seem to accept it even though it’s already been given.
SPEND TIME LEARNING
I have mentioned that the Apostles and Prophets had a special measure of the HS and had been given the gift of miracles. I’d like to illustrate this with two examples. In the case of Jesus and the Apostles, Jesus was able to pray the “Prayer of the Prophets” and had the gift of miracles, while the Apostles were at first just sinners and then righteous men and only prayed the “Prayer of the Sinner” and the “Prayer of the Righteous”. They had to spend time learning from Jesus’ example in order to be ready to move up to each level. Only after Pentecost did they receive the extra measure of the HS and the gift of miracles.
In the case of Elijah and Elisha: Elijah was a prophet and could work miracles, while Elisha was just a righteous man who helped him. Elisha had to spend time leaning from the example of Elijah until he was ready to move up. Then when Elijah asked him what parting gift he wanted, he replied that he wanted an extra measure of the HS. He already had a first measure from his BHS experience, which is how he was made a righteous man. The extra measure he asked for was so he too could become a prophet and have the gift of miracles. Elijah told him that this would be hard, but it could happen if he really wanted it. And we know the story: his request was granted and he received an extra measure of HS and became a mighty man of God.
In Lk 8:26-40, Jesus helped a demon-possessed man. Afterwards, the man wanted to follow Jesus; but Jesus gave him an assignment. Jesus asked the man to go back to his home and tell all his neighbors what he had already experienced. Later, when Jesus came back to this area again, the entire community was ready to receive Him due to the first man sharing his testimony. Jesus calls on us to do the same.
We too can have a similar experience. The first thing asked of us is to work with God as He brings about a revival among His people. We need to pray for revival in our churches. We need to awaken in our brothers and sisters a desire to get close to God by sharing our experiences and by letting them know the blessings that are available. We need to teach everyone how they too may become forgiven and righteous, so that they can put God first and can pray effectively. As we learn from Jesus we’ll become ready to receive an extra measure of the HS and move up to the next level. Let us pray the prayer of Moses, found in Num 11:29; “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit on them.”
I have heard several people making comments such as, “I’ve fasted three days and I’ve helped with the church’s programs, yet I still haven’t received the BHS!” I want to remind you that the HS can’t be bargained for; He only comes as a gift. If you’re doing those things to try to earn Him, you’re going to be disappointed. Helping with church programs is just to give you a feeling of satisfaction. Fasting is just to weaken your sinful self and strengthen your spiritual self, and to give you greater clarity of thought. If you then try to use these to bargain with God, you’ll gain nothing more than being a couple of pounds lighter. Don’t try to say, “I’ll give up TV for a week if You’ll give me the HS”. Accept that you can’t earn the HS. Whatever you do for God is just out of willingness and gratitude. Realize that the HS will come only as a Gift once you recognize its importance and are ready to receive it.
His nature is already within us to a degree. Once we receive the BHS, He has entered our hearts and begun to work. Even when we don’t feel Him near us, His nature remains; He doesn’t take it away. Falling into sin makes it so we can’t sense His presence. But once we ask for forgiveness, we will feel Him there again.
At times He chooses to come especially close to us; to help us with something special. When He draws near, His “nature” within us responds to His “presence” coming close, resulting in a special joy. This experience is very intense and will leave you shaking. But once you recover you’ll find you want Him to again come this close so you can experience His love and truly learn what He is like.
The HS comes to us in stages. The limits are what we are willing to do and what we are able to accept. First we receive His “work”, then His “presence”, then His “power”.
In the first stage, before we’ve whole-heartedly pledged ourselves to Him, we are the recipients of His calling to us and trying to draw us to Him. In a sense it can be said that He is working from outside us.
In the second stage, once we accept Him and His desire to change us, He enters our heart and mind, and begins the transformation process. It can be said that He has “anointed” us and we have Him actually living within us.
In the third stage, once we’ve learned what it means to live “holy to the Lord”, we receive Him in Pentecost measure and can do the things told about in the Bible. At this point we receive a “full baptism” of His Spirit, and His power comes over us to work through us.
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