Galatians 3:14—That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
"The promise of the Spirit" is the invariable term for the special Pentecostal gift; and this is to be equally received by faith as the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. To me this text once came as a perfect revelation. It was the clue to unravel perplexity, the point around which truth held long in solution suddenly crystallised. Before this verse spoke to my heart it had been my constant endeavor to feel the Spirit’s presence as the sign of my having received; but now it became clear that one might receive by simple faith God’s very richest communications, even though the emotion tarried long. The stages have been thus specified:—
There is such a blessing.—Yes; there can be no doubt of this; for it pleased the Father that the fulness of the Holy Spirit should dwell in Jesus, that He might communicate Him to each member of his Church.
It is for me.—At Pentecost Peter said, This promise is for as many as the Lord our God shall call.
I have not received.—It is very important to realize what your standing is. Paul’s first inquiry of the Ephesians was to ascertain this.
I would give anything if it might be mine.—Because of the life, and love, and power it would bring into your life, and the immense increase of power over others, there is no sacrifice you should be unwilling to make.
I do now in humble faith receive.—There may be no coronet of flame, nor rush of wind, nor flash of joy; but if we have put ourselves in the right attitude towards God, and opened our hearts to receive—He who taught us to hunger and thirst must have bestowed.