VICTORIOUS LIVING AND EFFECTIVE SOUL WINNING are not from our efforts but are simply the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT. Nothing is more important than being continually filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.

WHEN BEING BAPTIZED BY JOHN, JESUS was called the Lamb and the HOLY SPIRIT descended upon Him like a Dove. The Lamb speaks of meekness and submissiveness... and the Dove, of peace. This shows us that the heart of Diety is Humility.

THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ONLY ABIDE upon us as we are meek and lowly in heart like JESUS. The manifestations of the unbroken self are the direct opposite of the gentleness of the Dove... and the ninefold fruit of the Spirit, with which He longs to fill us.

THE DISPOSITION OF THE LAMB . . . .

"THE SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, BUT WHAT HE SEES THE FATHER DO." (John 5:19).

JESUS WAS THE SIMPLE LAMB, with no strength or wisdom of His own. We have schemes of helping others and getting ourselves out of difficulties... as if we were something and could do something. The Dove has to take His flight when we are not willing to be simple lambs.

WILLING TO BE SHORN . . . .

THEN HE WAS THE SHORN LAMB, willing to be shorn of His rights, reputation, and every human liberty due to Him, just as a lamb is shorn its wool. He never resisted, reviled back or threatened when suffering. When we are not willing to be shorn of that which is our right, the Dove has to fly away from us.

HE ANSWERED NOTHING . . .

THEN FURTHER, HE WAS THE SILENT LAMB. He never defended or explained Himself. But we have spoken out in self-defense, with anger, when others have said unkind or untrue things about us. We have excused ourselves instead of admitting our wrong. The Dove had to take His flight... withdrawing His peace.

NO GRUDGES . . . .

HE WAS ALSO THE SPOTLESS LAMB. There was nothing in His heart but love for those who sent Him to the Cross. What resentment and bitterness have we had in our heart... leaving a stain and the Dove had to fly away. We were not willing to bear it... forgive it... for JESUS' SAKE.

RETURN, O DOVE! . . . . RULED BY THE DOVE . . . .

HOW CAN THE DOVE RETURN to our lives with His peace and power? The answer again is the Lamb of God. He is also the substitute Lamb, slain for our sins. When we see that our sins are still wounding Him... even today, may the thought break our proud hearts in repentance. The Blood of the Lamb then can cleanse us and the Dove returns, with peace and blessing, in our hearts.

THE SIGN OF THE SPIRIT'S PRESENCE and fullness will be peace. This is the test of our walk. If PEACE IS BROKEN, then it can only be because of sin... we have DEPARTED from the HUMILITY of the Lamb.

SHALL WE NOT BEGIN TO ALLOW OUR LIVES to be ruled by the Heavenly Dove... the peace of God... and allow Him to be the "Referee" all day long? We will walk in conviction but will become like JESUS and know the only victory that is worth anything... the conquest of self.