307. Abundant Holy Spirit
Titus 3:6 (The Holy Spirit) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
God promises to shed the Holy Spirit on us abundantly. He does this because of Jesus Christ, who He is and what He did. Of course, the Holy Spirit is already abundant, for He is God and God is everywhere, knows everything, and can do all things. God cannot be more abundant. But the promise is that He will be abundantly shed upon us. God’s Name is hallowed, God’s kingdom comes, and God’s will is done anyway, but we pray that it all may be, may come, and be done among us. So it is with the Holy Spirit: He is always present in abundance, but He is not always allowed to live and act fully within and among us.
The problem is not God’s grace and God’s giving; the obstacle is with our believing and receiving. Our own unbelief and sin stop the Spirit of God from having full sway and influence on our lives. Another obstacle is our own “trying to be good” in the flesh, by our own effort and resolve. “God doesn’t have to do it: I’ll do it myself.” God responds, “OK, go ahead; try, and fail.” So Jesus tells us to ask for the Spirit and we will receive Him: “How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” [Luke 11:13}. It is not that we can have more Spirit, but we can have less of self.
How do we get more Holy Spirit? Believe the promise that God already shed the Spirit upon us abundantly. Ask the Father to give the Spirit. Die to self by contrition and repentance. Trust in the extravagant forgiveness of sins and abundant life. Say to yourself: “By faith in Christ I have an abundant Holy Spirit within me. I repent and believe the Gospel. Father, give me more of your Name, Kingdom, Will, Spirit, and Life.” The Lord promises spiritual abundance.