You were dead. By Charles Spurgeon. Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1, 4 and 5. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved.

By the Spirit's divine energy, he savingly convinces men of the truth of the gospel. Those whom he saves are men like Saul of Tarsus, who abhor the whole thing. He pours his effectual influences upon men, and infidelity melts away like the iceberg in the warm gulf stream. He touches the indifferent and careless sinners, and they repent, believe, and obey the Saviour. He makes proud men tremble, and wicked men quake for fear.

The regenerating work of the Spirit can make. The harlot to be chaste, the drunkard to be sober, the thief to be honest, the malicious to be forgiving, the covetous to be generous, and above all, the self-righteous to be humble.

Whether he quickens, consoles, enlightens, refreshes, sanctifies, anoints or inflames the soul, the Spirit always does it by taking the things of Christ and revealing them to us.

The Spirit works through the Gospel. He is almighty and has complete mastery over the realm of mind. He has the ability to effectually, illuminate the intellect, win the affections, curb the will, and radically change the nature of man. He works all things after his own pleasure, and like the wind, he blows wherever he wishes. When he puts forth his omnipotent energy, none can stand against him. He has converted three thousand in a day, and he could as readily convert three million or three hundred million.