The Ministry of the Spirit.
I. First among the proofs of Christianity comes the indisputable product of the "ministration of the Spirit," the new society of believers in Christ Jesus, the new world of redeemed and regenerate sons, created and held in its true spiritual orbit by the power of Christ, the Eternal Sun. The ministry of the Holy Ghost issues in a new social organism, which buries the hates of centuries out of sight, lifts purity to absolute supremacy, and makes the love of God and men the ruling passion of life and action.
II. The next most signal evidence of this ministry, in the first and nineteenth centuries alike, is the fulness and overflow of spiritual life consequent upon the descent and gracious indwelling of the Holy Ghost. The Christian society of the New Testament lives in habitual dependence upon an hourly communion with God. The same spirit is alive today.
III. We ought to expect the work of the Holy Spirit to be one of cleansing: an uplifting of the standard of sanctity, and an outflow of conquering holiness. So it was, and so it is.
IV. The first century was the era of universal missionary enterprise. This too is the missionary day the God of all souls has made, and in it we will rejoice and be glad.
V. But one of the most assured evidences of the teaching ministry of the Spirit is the simplification of the problem of religion and the opening up of the treasures of revelation to all men.
VI. Whence comes the rousing of our solicitudes for the social welfare of our fellows, and of the quickening of interest in all measures of social reform? Whence but from that Spirit whose gracious ministration lifted the slave to a seat by the side of his Master at the supper of love?
VII. Add to and penetrate all this work with the life-giving presence of an immortal hope, and you have carried the service of the Spirit to the maximum of effectiveness. Christianity is the rebirth of hope. "Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."
J. Clifford, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxii., p. 296.
References: 2 Corinthians 3:9. Parker, Hidden Springs,p. 203. 2 Corinthians 3:12. J. B. Heard, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xx., p. 46. 2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 3:13. L. Campbell, Some Aspects of the Christian Ideal,p. 1.