Christians Must be Filled with the Spirit
T. Manton, D. D. Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; I. The reasons why Christians are so strictly bound to be filled with the Spirit. 1. That we may answer the great and rich preparations of grace which the infinite love of God hath made for us by the merit of Christ and the promises of the gospel. 2. Because of their necessity. (1) If it be those that only profess Christianity, but are not yet really converted to God, they are in danger to be filled with a worse spirit, if not filled with the Spirit of God. (2) For those that are regenerated, and have received the spirit of the gospel and not of the world, there needeth a further supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19). 3. That the glory and excellency of our religion may appear. II. The means how we come to be filled with the Spirit. Certainly — 1. It is from God, who is the author of all grace: "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ " (2 Corinthians 5:18). 2. That God doth it through Christ the Scripture also witnesseth: "Which He hath shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:6). 3. That this frame of heart is wrought in us by the Spirit or Holy Ghost that came down from heaven, is evident also in Scripture. 4, It is given us by the gospel, for that is called "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2). 5. The gospel worketh two ways — (1) Morally; (2) Powerfully. 6. If any have this power and Spirit of the Lord Jesus, it is the mere favour of God: if any want it, it is long of themselves. 7. One of the means is prayer. Christ hath taught us to pray for the Spirit (Luke 11:1-13). None so fatherly as God; no gift so necessary as the Spirit. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; WEB: Don't be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,