Read: John 14:13-17
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever (John 14:16).
My Faith Must Be Personal
The third point in Wesley’s explanation of yesterday is our truth for today: “Believe that He is willing, as well as able, to save you to the uttermost; to purify you from all sin, and fill up all your heart with love.”
God has given us great and precious promises regarding entire sanctification but we must appropriate them for our personal need. It is not enough to believe the doctrine, nor even to gladly acknowledge that others have found the experience. We must believe with the heart that our Lord’s promise of the Holy Spirit is meant for us.
All of the soul’s conscious dealings with God have this deeply personal quality. Therefore the promise of holiness is personal. We are assured, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” In the light of this great promise, our Lord declares, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter.” Paul’s prayer for new Christians was personal: “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:23-24).
When I have made a complete personal surrender to God, I may ask in faith for the baptism with the Holy Spirit. This I know is according to His will. On the authority of our Lord’s promise I may believe that He has filled me with His Holy Spirit.
When Jesus makes my heart His home, My sin shall all depart; And lo! He saith, I quickly come, To fill and rule thy heart.
— The Salvation Army Tune Book