But, besides the new man, there is, in order to our being imitators of God, the Holy Ghost dwelling in us. We are told (Eph. 4:3030And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)), “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed,” &c. It is not only that there is a new nature, but the Holy Ghost comes into the vessel, as we see in the case of the cleansed leper, in. Lev. 1430And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get; (Leviticus 14:30); and leprosy in Scripture is a standing type of sin. He was washed in water, sprinkled with blood, and then anointed with oil. The water is the word applied in power; Jesus said to the disciples, in John 153And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:3), “Now ye are clean through the word that I have spoken unto you.” The word of Christ had been applied to them in power through grace and by the Holy Ghost, and they were washed. Then we have the blood of Christ applied to the conscience; and next, we are sealed with the Holy Ghost, the “holy anointing oil,” the unction from the Holy One. We have the “new man,” the new nature from God, and according to God; and also the Holy Ghost, God Himself, comes and owns the person. He seals him, and abides there, and we are not to grieve Him, but to walk as though God were seen by us at our side. Everything should comport with God’s presence in us; and if we are walking with a good conscience according to our measure of light, we are then free to think of Christ. The Holy Ghost occupies us with Christ, and leads us on in the knowledge of Him (Eph. 1:1717That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Ephesians 1:17)). And it is in this there is growth; in the fuller knowledge of Christ, and conformity to Him, we are led on by the Holy Ghost. If walking up to the light we have received, we have in coming into His presence, communion with Him, and we enjoy and grow in the knowledge of Him. If, on the contrary, we are not walking godlily, the Holy Ghost will make us think of ourselves and judge ourselves. So when we are not only living in the Spirit, but walking in the Spirit, all we are and do will represent Christ, His aim and purpose is that we should be in all the moral features of His character, the reproduction of Himself.
“He Is Not Here.”
“He is not here!” Ah, no! I seek in vain,
Mid fairest scenes of earth, my heart’s delight;
“He is not here!” else would those scenes remain
Unscathed by aught that speaks decay or blight.
Death like a shadow rests on all below,
E’en brightest landscape wears a tint of woe.
“He is not here!” the One my heart loves best.
Then can I join the giddy thoughtless throng,
Who heedless of His absence, careless rest,
Or féte that absence with gay mirth and song?
No! He is gone: and not the brightest ray
Can gild the scene to me while He’s away.
“He is not here!” Oppression, anguish, strife,
On every side, with solemn voice declare
Him here no more, the Lord of grace and life.
How can I then but garb of mourning wear?
They call me absent; — well, perhaps they may;
I’m listening for his voice while He’s away.
“He is not here!” I want Him every hour;
My soul would weary of his long delay,
Save that, like perfume from a hidden flower,
The fragrance of His spices cheers the way;
Yet fills my heart with more desire to prove
The fullness of Thy presence Lord above!
“He is not here!” but oh! He’s gone above,
The earth-rejected One has found His place.
The Paraclete, His messenger of love,
Witness alike of power divine and grace,
The Guide unto all truth, to us is given
To speak of Him whom now we know in heaven.
“He is not here!” but where His steps have been
We tread. Our home’s with him, our living Head.
In yon bright realms, whose floods of glorious sheen
On lowliest path of faith their lustre shed;
Tracing with golden threads our way below,
Till, in full blaze of light, as known we know.
“He is not here!” He’s risen, and soon shall call
His Bride, His undefiled one, to the skies.
Then in full splendor reign as Lord of all,
Where now, alas! He’s hated and despised.
Swell, swell the strain! bow down the head! adore!
THE CRUCIFIED shall reign for evermore.