"Be filled with the Spirit." -Ephesians 5:18
At our Baptisms, we became the temples of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wants us to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18; see also Acts 2:4). Paul taught that those filled with the Holy Spirit do the following four things. They:
* address "one another in psalms and hymns and inspired songs" (Eph 5:19),
* "sing praise to the Lord" (Eph 5:19) in their hearts,
* "give thanks to God the Father always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 5:20), and
* "submit to one another out of fear of the Lord" (Eph 5:21, our transl).
Those filled with the Holy Spirit have set their hearts on higher realms (Col 3:1). In spirit, they inhabit the throne room of God. They have entered "His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise" (Ps 100:4). Those filled with the Spirit upbuild, encourage, and submit to those around them. They can love their neighbor in this way because they love themselves (Lk 10:27). They love themselves because the Holy Spirit cries out in their hearts "Abba!" ("Father") (Gal 4:6) Secure in their Father's love, those filled with the Spirit are a people of praise, thanksgiving, submission, and love. Accept the grace to be filled and stay filled with the Holy Spirit.
"To the One seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!" (Rv 5:13)
"I Myself am the living Bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this Bread he shall live forever; the Bread I will give is My flesh, for the life of the world." -Jn 6:51
Praise the risen Jesus, Who baptizes us and fills us with the Holy Spirit! (Mk 1:8)
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