The Spirit of Christ by Frederick Wheeler

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1858

The Spirit of Christ

By Frederick Wheeler

Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is none of His. Rom. viii, 9.

This declaration of the Apostle should come home to every heart, especially at this day, when we are nearing the closing scenes of man's probationary state; for unless we are His, unless we belong to Christ, we shall fail in our anticipations of entering that rest reserved for the faithful. Says the Apostle, And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Gal. iii, 29. However correct our views of truth may be; unless we have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us, it will not avail to gain for us an admittance into that rest. Says Jesus, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." The will of the Father we cannot do unless the Spirit of Christ be in us; because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom. viii, 7.

But how can we know that we have the Spirit of Christ? If we have the Spirit of Christ, it will lead us to be Christ-like, and to walk after the example he has set for us. Our first object will be to do the will of God. Christ came not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him. John vi, 38. So those in whose hearts the Spirit of Christ dwells, their wills are lost in the will of God. They seek to honor him in all things. With meek resignation their inquiry is, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" And when the will of God is learned, a willing obedience is rendered. It will enable us to keep God's commandments. Christ kept the commandments of his Father. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John xv, 10. The Spirit of Christ will lead us to sacrifice for the cause of Christ, and the salvation of our fellow men. He gave his life for us. So will those in whose hearts the Spirit of Christ reigns be willing to lay down their lives, if need be, for the salvation of their brethren. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John iii, 16. And inasmuch as the Spirit would lead us to make the greatest sacrifice possible, (even our lives,) of course every smaller sacrifice will be cheerfully made by those that possess his Spirit.

Where the Spirit of Christ dwells, self will be greatly abased, and God and Christ exalted. It will lead us to heed the exhortation of the Apostle, Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Phil. ii, 3, 4. Also Gal. vi, 10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

But how little of this Spirit do we see manifested in the world around us! How little among the professed people of God! Nay, it is to be feared that there is too little of the Spirit of Christ even among those who profess faith in the present truth. There is too much seeking our own ease, our own wishes, too great tenacity for our own ways or our own peculiar views, &c. These things are not the fruits of the Spirit of Christ, but of the opposite spirit, the spirit of the world.

The Spirit of Christ leads to humility, even as Christ, "who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God," yet "made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant." Yea, "He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Thus those who possess the Spirit of Christ will manifest a spirit of humility and meekness, a spirit of long-suffering and forbearance towards the meek and erring, of forgiveness to the repenting, and patience towards all men. It will with boldness rebuke sin, in meekness reprove the erring, patiently instruct the ignorant, and seek to lead all to the knowledge of the truth.

Nor is it by outward acts alone that we are to test our state. For we are taught that though we may possess faith that will remove mountains, and give all our goods to feed the poor, or our bodies to be burned, and have not charity, (or love,) it will not profit. 1 Cor. xiii, 2, 3. And without the Spirit of Christ there is no genuine or gospel love. We must have the inward fruits of the Spirit, the love, joy and peace that are the sure and certain fruits of the Spirit of Christ wherever it has possession of the heart. "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Let us then search ourselves and examine our daily walk and see if we have the fruits of the Spirit. If we have not we are none of Christ's. If we have his Spirit we shall be Christ-like.

We are exhorted to be filled with the Spirit. The closing instruction of the faithful and true Witness to the Laodicean church is, "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me." If we heed this call we may be filled with the Spirit. But remember the spirit of the world, of pride or selfishness, and the Spirit of Christ cannot fill the heart at the same time. If we would be filled with the Spirit of Christ, the other spirit must first be put away.

The day of final decision is near. They alone who have the Spirit of Christ will be able to stand. It is only such, that will be found keeping the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and have right to the tree of life and enter in through the gates into the City. F. WHEELER. Hubbardsville, N. Y., Aug. 1858.