November 21

Read: I Corinthians 12:4, 7, 11

I am telling you the truth — my going is for your good. If I do not depart, the Helper will not come to you; whereas, if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7, Moffatt).

Heart Holiness Fits My Need

We gladly proclaim that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is gloriously adaptable to our individual differences. No greater mistake could be made than to suppose that we can confine the Spirit’s mysterious ministries within our logic or categories of thought.

“Many of us have sometimes envied the privilege of the twelve disciples who might have joined Jesus on the sandy shore of Galilee for an evening’s walk and private, earnest conversation. There, we have said, we could have shared our secret personal needs, and there learned His penetrating answers. But it was expedient for us that He went away in order that the Spirit might come to baptize and to indwell our hearts. When therefore the Comforter comes, His personal ministry to each individual is totally adequate.

“Paul writes: ‘Men have different gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them… Each man is given his gift by the Spirit that he may use it for the common good… Behind all these gifts is the operation of the same Spirit, who distributes to each individual man, as he wills’ (I Corinthians 12:4, 7, 11, Phillips). What a mistake, then, to say that, since I can never be like Brother Paul or Sister Lydia this experience is not for me! For me — me with my personal qualities, peculiarities, idiosyncrasies, and personality patterns both inherited and acquired — for me, the Spirit’s baptism and indwelling will be perfectly adaptable and satisfying” (A. E. Airhart).

Saviour, to Thee my soul looks up, My present Saviour Thou! In all the confidence of hope I claim the blessing now.

— Wesley’s Hymns