The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 529

;

THE WORK OF GOD

IN

OUR WORK

489

But as Artist He uses three different instruments, viz. the Word, His providential dealing Sy and the regenerate person himselj. 1. The Word is a vital power in the Church which pierces even to the dividing asunder of the joints and the marrow, and as such it is a divinely ordained instrument to create impressions in a man and these impressions are the means by which holy inclinations are implanted in his heart. ,

Lije

2.

make impressions

s experiences also

in us

more or

less

and these God uses also to create holy dispositions. Repeated 3. The third instrument refers to the effect of habit. sinful acts make the sinner bold and create sinful habits in this way he cooperates to make himself a greater sinner. In a similar sense the saint cooperates in his own salvation by allowing the holy disposition to radiate in good works. The frequent act of doing good creates the habit. The habit gradually becomes a second nature. And it is this mighty influence of habit which God uses to teach us holiness. In this way God can make one saint inlasting

;

;

strumental in the sanctification of another.

An artist.

architect builds a palace It is

erects the structure architect alone for tion

it

is

which makes him famous as an

true the contractor, an important person in his place,

not the

;

but his

whom

all

Word by

name

is

scarcely mentioned,

the praise

is

reserved.

itself that is effectual,

it is

the

In sanctifica-

but that

Word

handled by the Holy Spirit. Neither is it the experience of life alone, but that experience employed by the Holy Artist. Neither is it the regenerate person who serves as foreman, but the glorious, Triune God, in whose service he labors.

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