Did I receive the Holy Spirit by faith or by the Law? When I received The Holy Spirit in 1971 I was oblivious and ignorant of The Law except for the Ten Commandments which I could not quote thus it is quite apparent that I received the Holy Spirit by faith. Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 3:
1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?
2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—
6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Paul who was an expert in the Law makes a clear distinction of who are true Sons and Daughters. He also clarifies the Truth that man cannot be made perfect by the flesh. However, he can be perfected by walking in faith by Love. Miracles are wrought by the hearing of faith and not by the Law so where should we all focus? On building our faith! Paul stated by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 10:17 how to grow in faith: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
Was there anybody who walked in greater faith than Jesus? He expressed the Truth of spending time with FATHER fellowshipping and receiving instruction as He ministered to the people throughout His ministry. At the age of twelve He stated that He must be about His FATHER’S business. The impact of His ministry is clearly defined by His walking in faith by Love according to FATHER’S directives.
Jesus became sin on the cross and we became righteous due to His act on the cross. It was not by our acts causing us to become righteous but it was His act on the cross that allowed the transfer of sin to fully take place on our behalf. When we believe and accept Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior it is done by faith IN HIM, not our acts. FATHER’S Love for us sent Him to the cross in order to reconcile us to HIM. Love and Faith play a critical role not only in salvation but also our growth into mature Sons and Daughters. The same blessings Abraham was promised are also ours as we who are of faith are blessed in the same manner of Abraham.
Our works are a result of who we are, not the determinant of who we are thus we must not expect our works to take the place of walking in faith. Having said that, we should focus daily on hearing FATHER in order that our faith grow and remain strong which will result in doing good works just as Jesus did. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 8:
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, (set their minds on) the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
When we set our minds on the things of the SPIRIT, our Love grows stronger and our faith increases enabling us to minister to others in a more effective manner. We become less frustrated and increase in patience toward others thus we will walk in peace even while the heathen rage all around us. As I have said in the past, these writings are meant to promote the maturing of the saints in a personal manner. As we mature personally then the Body of Christ matures corporately. His Body will not be made up of immature, double-minded sons and daughters but those who set their minds and focus on the things of the SPIRIT. There is no need to memorize the 613 commandments and statutes of the Law when you can know and walk in the Commandment of Love for it fulfills the Law.
Jesus received our sins on the cross and we received His righteousness which is the ultimate act of unconditional Love. This act fulfilled the Law because of Love and faith in Its power which is greater than the Law. Yes, the Law has its place to expose sin but it does not bring forth righteousness. Faith in Him is what caused each of us to receive salvation and change our lives. Each of us should assess our acts and determine if they arise out of minding the things of THE SPIRIT or result from submitting to our flesh. As we mature in Love and faith, our acts will reflect the state of our maturity. First Love, then faith.