The Spirit and Power of the Baptist
George Low, M. A. Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children… The spirit and power of Elijah rested upon the Baptist, and the same gift is needed by us now. For, what is the end and purpose of all the religious activity we see abroad and at home, but to turn people's hearts to wisdom, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord? Let us see, then, what was this spirit and power which made the Baptist so successful? And notice, to begin with, it was nothing wonderful, nothing out of the way. We are expressly told that "John did no miracle." The spirit and power of the Baptist is, therefore, a gift within the reach of every one of us. I. OBSERVE, FIRST, HIS DECISION FOR GOD. No halting between two opinions. The Baptist was not " a reed shaken with the wind," but one who had considered matters well, and comes to a firm decision respecting the salvation of God. II. NOTICE, NEXT, HIS SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD. He lived as much as possible in retirement, communing with his own soul and with God, While in the world, he was never of the world. III. CONSIDER, ONCE MORE, HIS BOLD, CONSISTENT TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH. 1. Before all classes of his countrymen, from the lowest to the highest. 2. In spite of opposition and persecution. Conclusion: Such qualities as these made the Baptist a power for good, and thus was he in the spirit and power of Elias.Are we following in his steps? There must be found in us these same qualities, if our life is to be as grand a moral success as was his. 1. The same decision. Half-heartedness is of no use at all in what concerns the soul. 2. The same unworldliness. Not necessarily separation from the world — that is for the few; but (what is found by many to be a far harder thing) living in the world, doing its duties faithfully and well, and at the same time living the higher life that is hidden with Christ in God, and looking for the new heaven and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. 3. The same stedfast witnessing to the truth. (1) In heart. (2) In word. (3) In action.An upright and honest life is the best testimony to the spirit and power in which we move, and it will carry us triumphantly over every obstacle and difficulty that we encounter, until we reach the peaceful haven where we would be, and bask in the perpetual sunshine of the presence of God. (George Low, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. WEB: He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord."