Lesson 6 · Chapter 6
The three gospel motivations (ch. 5) are powerless apart from the Holy Spirit — he is "the motivation behind the motivation." Without him we may get morality, even a veneer of Christianity, but no gospel holiness. The Spirit, not our resolve, empowers us to believe the gospel and follow Jesus.
"There neither is, nor ever was, in the world, nor ever shall be, the least dram of holiness, but what, flowing from Jesus Christ, is communicated by the Spirit."
— John Owen, quoted by Dodson
John Owen's distinction: morality is the result of human work and is self-centered; gospel holiness is the result of grace and is Christ-centered — "the implanting, writing, and realizing of the gospel in our souls." And it is impossible apart from the Spirit. "Disciples need more than resolve to believe the gospel; they need the Holy Ghost."
We need his presence — because we are naturally enemies of God, spiritually dead (Eph. 2:5), darkened in heart. The Spirit gives us new hearts (Ezek. 36:26–27) — that's regeneration. And we need his power — the new heart beats with religious affection and faith, producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–25). Presence regenerates; power motivates.
Communion = "the sharing of good things between persons who are mutually delighted, being cemented together by some union." Many of us are functional bi-nitarians — we commune with Father and Son but forget the Spirit. How to cultivate communion:
Then surrender to his promptings. The Spirit prompts you all the time — to serve, to pray, to speak the gospel. The power is subtle, not showy: "If you are in Christ, you have the Spirit, and he prompts you all the time. We simply need to surrender to his prompting!"
You cannot change your disciple — the Spirit does. So disciple with prayer, not just technique. When you meet, ask the Spirit to direct the conversation. And teach your disciple to ask: What is the Spirit prompting me to do here — and will I surrender? The whole of gospel-centered discipleship runs on Spirit power, not your persuasion.
What is the difference between morality and gospel holiness?
Correct: Morality is the result of human work (self-centered); gospel holiness is the result of grace (Christ-centered) — "the implanting, writing, and realizing of the gospel in our souls."
Options are 46–51 chars. The other pairs are partially true but miss Owen's core point: holiness is grace-work, not self-work.
What does a Spirit-filled life look like in temptation?
Correct: Jesus countered Satan with Deuteronomy — "a Spirit-filled life is a Scripture-trusting life." The Spirit enables us to trust what is true against what is false.
Options are 42–45 chars. Feelings, habits, and disciplines all matter, but the Spirit's characteristic weapon is truth trusted.
How do we access the Spirit's power for holiness?
Correct: "The Spirit is prompting you all the time... We simply need to surrender to his prompting." Communion with the Spirit sensitizes us to his promptings.
Options 30–37 chars. None of the others are wrong in themselves — but surrender, not technique, is the access point.
Primary source for this lesson: Chapter 6, "Gospel Power" in your local copy of the book (gospel-centered_discipleship_1.md, lines 756–901) — or the print edition pp. 95–110. Read it once with "presence, power, communion, surrender" in front of you.
For depth on knowing the Spirit: Richard F. Lovelace, Dynamics of Spiritual Life (IVP, 1977) — the book that reacquainted Dodson with the Spirit, and the source of the "pray to each person of the Trinity" practice.