Sanctified, Kept & Protected
By The Holy Ghost
By The Late Elder B. E. Echols
The Holy Ghost can and will do more for a person than one would ever ask or think (see Ephesians 3:20) if they would GET filled and STAY filled with It ALL the time. As for myself I was greatly surprised by the immediate changes it produced in my every day life. Having been easily angered and provoked into using foul and blasphemous language–before I received the “Holy Ghost Experience” according to Acts 2:14; 10:44-48 and 19:1-7–I was somewhat skeptical concerning my being able to overcome such things immediately. But I discovered that the Lord–through the power of the Holy Ghost which was IN me (I John
4:4 and John 14:16 17)–had delivered me from ALL those ungodly actions and conditions. I had become “a NEW creature in Christ: old things (cursing swearing etc. had) passed away (and) behold, ALL things (had) become NEW” yea altogether different and godly praise the Lord. And could I say this to the glory of God not one curse-word has been spoken since-for the past 54 years! This is all due to the marvelous changes that have been wrought in my life by the power of the Holy Ghost. So I began to move right on into sanctification by the indwelling Spirit.
SANCTIFIED By The Holy Ghost
One Is only acceptable unto God for eternal salvation AFTER he is “sanctified (purified and made holy) by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:16). “For the Kingdom of God is (1) righteousness, and (2) peace and (3) joy IN the Holy Ghost.” Some church-folk teach that sanctification is a “SECOND definite work of grace ” but it is a working power of the Holy Ghost that begins IMMEDIATELY after one receives it–according to Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-47 and 19:1-7 with John 16:7-14 8–“And when He is come (present tense) He will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment.”
The Apostle Paul believed in and taught ENTIRE sanctification. See I Thessalonians 5:23 and Ephesians 5:26 27. If any person–AFTER receiving the Holy Ghost — will only “RECKON (himself) to be DEAD indeed unto sin (and) ALIVE unto God ” by YIELDING the members of his body as “SERVANTS to righteousness unto holiness ” (Romans 6:11-22) he would be Immediately assisted by the Holy Ghost in attaining ENTIRE sanctification– also in maintaining same. See Galatians 5:16 with Romans 8:1-4.
Definitely if anyone will live and walk according to the leadings of the Holy Ghost (John 16:13-14 with Romans 8:13-14) he “SHALL NOT fulfill the lusts (desires) of the flesh” or carnal nature (Galatians 5:16) which “IS NOT subject to the law of God neither indeed can be ” (Romans 8:7).
Please keep in mind that FAITH in God and His Word puts the power of God into operation WHEN we pray! See Hebrews 11:5-6 with Mark 9:23 and James 4:1-3. Because it opens “their eyes (to an) inheritance AMONG THEM which are (present tense) sanctified BY FAITH.” So we appropriate everything that God has for us by believing and asking for “ye have not because ye ask NOT.”
KEPT By The Power Of The Holy Ghost
Many people have tried to keep themselves sanctified without the assistance of the Holy Ghost and have miserably failed. One cannot live such a life unless they do MUCH praying DAILY in the Holy Ghost (II Thessalonians 3:10 with 5:17; Jude 20 and II Corinthians 4:16). Jesus has warned ALL of us to this affect that “without ME ye can do NOTHING” and why fail trying to make it otherwise without “Christ IN you the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27?
If we would keep Christ IN us as Paul did (Galatians 2:20) we would never come under condemnation; for “There is … NO condemnation TO THEM which are IN Christ Jesus (continuously) who walk NOT after the flesh but after the Spirit.” By reading Acts 23:1 and 24:16 you should see that the Apostle Paul lived what he taught in Romans 8:1-5 and such living for God will prepare one for the “Rapture of the Church”–when nothing else will. Please read Romans 8:10-13 with Ephesians 5:26-27 and II Peter 3:12-14. Keep the Holy Ghost by doing MUCH praying (St. Luke 21:34-36 with Jude 20) and obeying God and It will KEEP you “until THE DAY of redemption.”
PROTECTED By The Indwelling Spirit
The Devil cannot lay his hands on a child of God who STAYS FILLED with the Holy Ghost unless God permits–as in the case of Job. For “Greater is He (the Holy Ghost or Christ) that is IN you than he (the devil) that is in the world ” (I John 4:4).
In order to have Christ IN us DAILY we must pray “IN the Holy Ghost” EVERY day; for “the INWARD man is renewed day by day”–continuously (II Corinthians 4:16). Jesus warns all of us to “Watch and pray that ye ENTER NOT into temptation.” If we will pray and live for God we need not fear what man or devils might do; for “If God be for us who can be against us.” See Daniel 2:10, 16-22 and Isaiah 40:29-31.
Anyone desiring God’s protection must keep the blood of Jesus Christ on the door post of his soul and continually walk with Him as Enoch Joshua and Caleb did. Many people including laymen and preachers are not willing to consecrate enough of their time and talents to victoriously live for God and accomplish great things for Him. They prefer borderline experiences and protection that man provides. Please read Jeremiah 17:5-8 and Isaiah 30:1-3.
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