If the Holy Spirit extracts truth from the Word and applies it to a person’s life until they are filled with it, then in reality, they are experiencing the fullness of God. The Word carries “divine genetics” — the character and nature of God — which will be worn in that person’s life. As children of God, we must possess the nature of the Father. But how can we have the Father’s nature? It begins with the renewal of the mind (mindset). And no human can accomplish this renewal, no matter how great — not by theologians, nor by pastors — but only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Even listening to sermons every day will mean nothing if one does not truly hear the voice of the Holy Spirit within. Therefore, extreme actions are needed to truly experience the work of the Holy Spirit: having personal hours of prayer, reading the Bible earnestly, avoiding unnecessary entertainment, guarding one’s associations, and letting go of worldly attachments. The focus of life must be directed toward the new heaven and new earth. Only then will the Word live and grow within us.
In this condition, the true principles of Christian faith can be fully experienced: Sola Gratia — by grace alone, Sola Fide — by faith alone, meaning obedience to God’s will, and Sola Scriptura — by Scripture alone (see Luke 11:16). We must abandon love for the world. There should be no desire other than for God and His Kingdom. The congregation must be led toward such a life, so that they are genuinely filled with the Word — and this is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit, not by mere human effort.
However, one must still walk actively with God. They must have extreme personal encounters with Him, through concrete spiritual experiences from moment to moment. In every event, they must absorb the voice of the Holy Spirit. When this happens, the Holy Spirit seals their life, transforming them into a new creation. A note for theologians and teachers: do not replace the work of the Holy Spirit. Our task is not to take His place, but to lead the congregation to walk with God and experience a personal encounter with Him.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:12-13, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Why is “enduring” the key? Because we are surrounded. We can no longer take things lightly — we must endure — for the world surrounds us. Do we realize that the world’s system essentially produces our way of thinking and our tastes in life? The world molds us. For example, there is nothing wrong with wearing nice clothes — but the motivation must be right, not to show off. Even the way we dress can indicate whether or not we are living in the awareness of the Kingdom of God.
In the past, when danger approached, villagers would be warned with a wooden drum. Today, God is also sounding the spiritual alarm of danger. But not everyone hears it. Even those who do listen are not necessarily on guard. Why? Because many Christians live as products of the world. And suppose someone is too attached to the world. In that case, it will be very difficult — nearly impossible — to break free from the worldly habits that have shaped their minds: lifestyle, entertainment, associations, even hobbies that drain spiritual energy.
So, the siege against the saints is not something that will happen in the future — it is happening now. Please pay close attention to how vulnerable and fragile our Christian life is today. We have been influenced and shaped by this world. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” But in reality, the world has already shaped us. The truth is, we often lack the courage to be extreme. From now on, do not live in gray area. Choose the side of holiness. We must have spiritual ambition: to pursue the peak of purity, the peak of devotion, and the peak of holiness. Keep running. Keep working. Day by day, we rise to a higher level until the world can no longer reach us.