In response to surrender and faith, the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit. As he is emptied of self, God fills; as he takes of Christ, God gives. Becoming rightly related to the Holy Spirit, he becomes spiritual. In him the Spirit dwells in fullness because over him He has unhindered control. But the matter cannot stop there, for many a person has been filled with the Holy Spirit and has not remained filled; and life on the highest plane presumes habitual fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

A STEP LENGTHENS INTO A WALK

Surrender and faith, as antecedents to becoming Spirit-filled, were both acts. By an act of yielding, one takes the step out of a life ruled by self into one governed by Christ. By an act of faith, one claims his birthright in the fullness of the Holy Spirit and steps out of a life of stagnancy into one of satisfaction and sufficiency.

To many, this step marks such a definite and marvelous advance in spiritual living that it is as noteworthy an event in their spiritual history as was their new birth through faith in Christ as Savior. The blessing of a life in which Christ is really all and in all is so transcendent that many stop short of enjoying it and do not seek to know how to maintain it. To their disappointment, they wake up one day to the realization that their peace and power are gone.

The twofold act of surrender and faith to be of any permanent value must become an attitude. The decisive act must be crystallized into continuous action. Surrender and faith must be merged into obedience. Obedience is just surrender, and faith stretched over a lifetime; the step is lengthened into a walk.

Scripture often speaks of the believer’s walk and, by the word, his whole manner of living from Sunday to Sunday, from morning till morning. Our walk is what we are translated into what we do; it is character expressed in conduct. It is our calling in Christ in the heavenlies actualized in conduct before men in the world.

1 Thessalonians 2:12

“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

Ephesians 4:1

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”

To remain spiritual, it is of paramount importance that the believer should pay attention to his walk. Let us then study the nature of the walk of a Spirit-filled Christian. 

Source: “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson

Lord, surrender and faith in You are what we need to remain filled with Your Holy Spirit.