How to Get Filled With the Holy Spirit?
Love leads to obedience, and obedience leads to the filling of the Holy Spirit. Luke affirmed this truth, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32). The Lord explained that love moves the person to obey God’s law then God, in turn, fills the person with His Spirit.
Eternal salvation, offered by grace and received by faith (Ephesians 2:5, 8), is available to those who are willing to obey, who are submissive to the will of God (Hebrews 5:9). The spiritual gifts of the Spirit cannot be demonstrated in the life of a person who is breaking God’s law.
Jesus said, “If ye love me keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:15, 16). Love should be the motive for obedience. Obedience from force or from fear is not the ideal form of obedience. There may be times, of course, where the motive of love is weak. It is important in this situation to offer obedience based on principle alone. In the meantime love should be cultivated.
The obedience of the creature to the Creator is the foundation and essence of right relations with God. The angels obey God (Psalms 103:20, 21), but in love, not in cold, legal formality. Likewise, people are to obey God (Psalms 103:17, 18; Ecclesiastes 12:13), but in love (John 14:15) and by His enabling power.
To God, obedience is better than any sacrifice that people may offer (1 Samuel 15:22). A true relationship with God is revealed by a loving obedience to His commandments (1 John 5:3). Humans lost Eden because of disobedience and they will go back because of their obedience through God’s enabling power (Revelation 14:12; 12:17).
The most basic fact about the Spirit is that He leads into all truth and convicts of sin. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).
Therefore, a person could not be filled with the Holy Spirit without being reproved of breaking the law. Lying, stealing, adultery, Sabbath-breaking, coveting (Exodus 20) and so on, will not not be found in a Spirit-filled life of a true follower of Christ.
Jesus said, “if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments…You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 19:17-19).
No one can keep God’s law by his own power. It is the Lord that gives the believers that ability to obey when they yield their lives to Him in repentance. He promises that He will write His law in their hearts (Hebrews 10:16) and gives the grace to do His will. For “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
Check out our Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
