The power of the Holy Spirit is an almighty Spirit. He can change the stony heart into a heart of flesh. He can break up and destroy the strongest bad habits, like paper in a fire. He can make the most difficult things seem easy, and the mightiest objections melt away like snow in spring. He can fill up every valley, and make every rough place smooth. He has done it often, and He can do it again.
Does anyone of us desire to help the church of Christ? Then let him pray for a great outpouring of the Spirit. Only the Holy spirit can give edge to sermons, and point to advice, and power to rebuke, and can cast down the high walls of sinful hearts. What is needed this day is more of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Taken from Herald of His Coming J.C. Ryle
This article makes me think of Luke 3:16. John the baptizer says,"I indeed baptize with water, but one is coming mightier than I , the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with FIRE."
I never realized that the power of the Holy Ghost was like FIRE. Jesus told His disciples that He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to replace Himself on earth and that He would baptize them with FIRE. It would be His power in them to be His witnesses that He was resurrected.
I believe the Holy Spirit's power burns up the 'old man of sin' and out of the ashes He raises up a new creation in the image and likeness of Christ in the believer. It doesn't happen over night, but the fire of the Holy Spirit will eventually burn up the old life of sin.
Fire is powerful. It will produce ashes of anything that it burns. There is quite a difference between the baptism of John to repentance and the baptism of Jesus with fire! This is a whole revelation and teaching in itself.
