The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 241

Energy springs from the new heart. It pulsates with the vigour of a glad, strong life. ( 4) Natural,, The heart is of flesh, not of some foreign angelic substance. Sin ia monstrous, goodness natural. The true Christian is natural ; be is intensely human. God's work in the soul brings a man into close sympathy with his fellows. It restores true human nature. Ver. 27.-The indwelling Spirit. Three stages in redemption are euccessively brought before us. First, cleansing: " Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you," etc. ; second, renewal,: " A new heart also will I give you," etc. ; third, lnspiration: "And I will put my Spirit within you." Let us now consider this third stage of the grand process of redemption. I. THE PRESENCE OF Goo's SPmIT DEPE1'"DS ON THE CONDITION OF MEN'S HEABTS AND LIVES. The third stage of redemption is closely connected with those that precede. It cannot be attained without them, any more than the top of the staircase can be reached without passing over the lower steps. We cannot reverse the order. Cleansing and renewal must precede inspiration. God does not dwell equally with all men. There are God-haunted souls and there are God-deserted souls. The Spirit of God entered into Samson (Judg. xiv. 6), but Satan entered into Judas (Luke xxii. 3). Here is one great motive for our seeking to attain to the t.wo ea.rlier stages. They are the conditions on which we may enter into the highest privileges of all religion. II. GoD PUTS HIS SPIBIT IN THE HEABTB OF BIS PEOPLE. He does not merely give gifts; he also comes in his own Spirit's presence. The good man walks with God (Gen. v. 24). He enjoys God's abiding presence. He is a temple of the Holy Ghost. These facts show us that religion is not only a human experience of beliefs and devotion. Its creeds and its worship are but one side of it. Its deeper character lies on the other side, in the Divine action. In true religion God enters the soul and touches its secret centres. III. THE PRESENCE OF Goo's SPmIT IS MANIFESTED BY ITB EFFECTS. We need not look for mystical signs like the incorruptible light which the monks of Mount Athos imagined they were able to see as the revelation of the very presence of God in our souls. We need not despair if immediate consciousness does not give us a vision of God's Spirit. The joy of communion should be very real. Yet it is rather by the fruits of the Spirit that we are to be assured of bis presence (Gal. v. 22). They are of two kinds. 1. Graces. There are given to every soul, and consist in the illuminating, sanctifying, strengthening influence of the Holy Spirit. Thus God helps us to understand his truth, baptizes us with his holiness, and breathes into us the power of the Divine life. 2. Gift,. It is important to distinguish the graces of the Spirit from its gifts. While the former are for all Christians, the latter are specie.I and distinctive. They vary in different ages and with different persons. There were gifts of healing, of prophesying, of tonguee, in the ancient Church (Rom. xii. 6). Bezaleel had a gift for art (Exod. xxxv. 30, 31); Samson, e. gift of strength (Judg. xiii. 25), etc.-all from the Spirit of God. Christ now gives gifts unto men through his Spirit-not exactly those of New Testament times, but such as the present age needs. IV. CHRISTIANS SHOULD ACT ON THE KNOWLEGDE OF THE INDWELLING SPmIT, 1. Making use of hu aid. If we are Christ's, we are not left to our own resources. It is much to know that the gracious Spirit is with us to cheer and help. 2. Not gruving him away. We may grieve the Spirit (Eph. iv. 30). We are to remern her that we are temples of the Holy Ghost, and therefore to keep the dwelling of God clear of all defilement (1 Oor. vi. 19). Ver. 31.-Sad memories. The restored people are to be cleansed, renewed, and inspired. Yet they will still carry with them sad memories of their former sins. I. THE PARDONED PENITENT CANNOT FOBGET BIB PAST. The hardened sinner may do so; or at least he may carry the memory of bis ill deeds with so light e. heart that it will be no burden to him. While he thus bears the whole weight of bis sin, its guilt, and its hurtful influence, he is scarcely conscious of it; but directly he begins to repent, the sin grows into an unbearable burden, and the sinner becomes keenly con- scious of its continuous presence, He carries about with him the vision of his life's story written in letters of fire. Now, after forgiveness and renewal, the burden and CB. :xxxvL 1-38.] THE EOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 249