Romans 15:30-33 Now I beseech you, brothers, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit… Consider this — I. IN THE FORMS OF ITS EVIDENCE. 1. The dictation of the Holy Scriptures. "Holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Had His influences been withholden, there would have been no Bible; and without the Bible think of the hopeless wretchedness in which we should have been plunged. 2. His teachings. For however incomparable the blessed Book may be of itself, yet in the spirituality of its particular meanings, it can only be understood and realised through the same power that produced it. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 3. His work in relation to the Saviour who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, anointed by Him and filled with Him without measure. 4. His offices which He fills, and the provisions which He makes for us, answering to the spiritual necessities of our nature. Convincing of sin, converting, witnessing, sanctifying, comforting, etc. II. ITS OBJECT. Not that His own happiness may be advanced by it, nor that it was forced into exercise by any worthiness of ours. No; as it sprung spontaneously out of the law of His own nature — for "God is love" — so it disinterestedly devoted itself to the promotion of our present and immortal good. III. THE EFFECTS IT SHOULD PRODUCE. 1. Love begets love; and surely we should do Him all the honour we can. 2. A humble and unreserved dependence upon Him. 3. An excitement to our prayers. 4. A sincere purpose, an energetic endeavour, to avoid all that will vex and grieve the Holy Spirit. 5. A full display of the graces of the Spirit in our lives. (T. J. Judkin, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; |
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