Ephesians 5:18 calls us to a state of spiritual fullness, urging believers to “be filled with the Spirit.” For those who cherish the Lord Jesus, seek His purpose, and are committed to His recovery, this verse is a daily pursuit. To be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with the Triune God, who manifests Himself as the all-inclusive Spirit in our lives today. When we are truly filled from within, our spirit naturally overflows, expressing itself outwardly. Ephesians 5 further elaborates on this, connecting spiritual fullness with speaking and singing. This isn’t just about ordinary conversation; it’s about expressing our spiritual saturation through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.
These expressions aren’t limited to formal settings. We can engage in speaking and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs long before we gather for a meeting. Even within our homes, cultivating an atmosphere of spiritual song is invaluable. Imagine a husband spontaneously singing, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!” This beloved hymn, a “Blessed Assurance Song,” encapsulates the joy and certainty of salvation. His wife might then respond with another line from a cherished hymn, creating a harmonious dialogue of faith. Perhaps she sings, “All the day long my Savior I praise!” (Hymns, #308), or “I have passed the riven veil. Here the glories never fail.” To which the husband might joyfully reply, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I am living in the presence of the King” (Hymns, #551).
When we are filled with the Spirit, we are naturally equipped to express it. Consider a small group meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. If a couple begins to fill their home with songs of faith around dinnertime, say 6:00 p.m., in essence, the meeting has already begun. This spirit of fellowship and worship can continue as they journey together to meet with fellow believers. The “blessed assurance song” and other spiritual expressions become not just preparation for a meeting, but a continuous flow of spiritual life.
This practice of being filled with the Spirit and expressing it through song, particularly embracing hymns like “Blessed Assurance,” enriches our personal lives and spills over into our communal gatherings. It transforms mundane moments into opportunities for spiritual expression, ensuring that our lives are constantly tuned to the frequency of the Spirit.
