One sure way to
have a victorious Christian life is to live a Holy Spirit empowered life. So in
verse 18, Paul exhorts believers to be filled with the Spirit constantly. Believers
have the choice of having the effects of the spirit spelt with small ‘s’ or the
Spirit spelt with the capital ‘S’. Both can influence the believers. One would
cause drunkenness leading to an inordinate, decadent or dissipated living. The
other would lead to an orderly and sanctified life.
When it comes to
God’s Spirit, we must be filled constantly. Apart from being empowered by the
Spirit, believers can never effectively walk in the light or wisdom. The command
“be filled” would be better translated as “be being filled.” Although this may be
awkward in English but it would be an accurate portrayal of Paul’s intention. The
apostle wanted us to know that the infilling of the Spirit is not a one-time
act, it must be a deliberate daily moment by moment choice or decision. The
dynamism of the Spirit-filled living must be a daily and current experience. None
of us should expect to be fully effective by depending on yesterday’s infilling
to live for today. Furthermore, this experience is a collaborated effort of the
believers and the Holy Spirit. As we surrender and yield to Him, He fills us. He
must not only be resident in our lives, He must be the president of our lives.
From verses
19-21 we are then shown the typical results of a Spirit-filled, and Spirit-empowered
living. Firstly, Spirit-filled believers will live a joyful life. There will be
an inner joy that could be seen by one’s expression in outward acts of praise
and worship. There will be singing of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as an
expression of the joy in one’s heart. Despite great sorrow, such kind of believers
can experience overflowing inner joy.
Secondly, Spirit-filled
believers will live a thankful life. The fullness of the Spirit within would
cause such believers to have an attitude of gratitude. Thanks-giving for both
big and small things will be the order of their lives.
Thirdly, Spirit-filled
believers will live a submissive and participative life. They will live interdependently
with other believers. They submit to each other out of reverence for the Lord. Spirit-filled
people do not act independently from the fellowship. They are opened to
teachings, exhortation, admonitions, counsel, correction, guidance, etc. of
fellow believers.
Paul, we know,
do not have any objection to drinking wine. He was only against excessive
drinking that would lead to riotous, inordinate and drunken lifestyle. It’s
perfectly normal to celebrate with a glass or two of wine. But the best way to
celebrate life is to be filled with God’s Spirit. It brings about a joyful,
grateful and graceful living. So let’s be filled constantly by God’s Spirit,
for a glorious empowered daily walk!
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