Some of the Christian ministers of our day are seeking power rather than Jesus Christ. They say they are seeking the will of Christ. The truth is, they are seeking their own will and are attempting to use the Holy Spirit for their own purposes. They want to administrate the Kingdom of God in terms of their self-aggrandizement.

They do not know Jesus Christ. They do not understand the gentle, humble ways of the Lord. In the Day of Christ they will hear, "I never knew you." Why will they hear this? Because the lowly Jesus never knew them even though they worked miracles in His name. They thought He was impressed by their mighty spiritual accomplishments. Yet He does not know them!

How do we keep from being deceived by the tremendous spiritual currents being unleashed in our day? We must turn away from our personal religious ambition, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. It does not matter whether we are ever heard of again. For us to live is Christ and to die is gain. All that matters is that Christ is magnified.

The next move after Pentecost is portrayed by the Blowing of Trumpets. The King stands before us and declares war on His enemies in our personality. He also disciplines us as a member of His army.

Now we are brought into the spiritual fulfillment of the solemn Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur of the Jews.

The Day of Atonement is the day of reconciliation to God. Every area of our personality without exception comes under the Divine scrutiny. All the love of the world and the ways of the world that are in us must be forsaken and in their place must be developed the iron righteousness of Jesus Christ.

All the lusts of our flesh must be put to death and in their place must be developed the fiery holiness of the Spirit of God.

All of our self-will must be crucified and in its place must be developed stern obedience to the Father.

You might think such transformation is impossible for you. Did you save yourself? No, God saved you by His grace.

Did you fill yourself with the Holy Spirit? No, the Lord Jesus Christ did that.

Well, the same is true concerning iron righteousness, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to the Father's will. You cannot accomplish these by yourself but God can if you will cooperate each day with His Spirit. Tell God this is what you want. Hunger and thirst after righteousness, holiness, and obedience. You shall be filled, make no mistake about this. The Creator of the galaxies has enough wisdom and power to transform you into the image of His Son and to bring you into untroubled rest in Himself through Christ.

To be continued.