Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [Acts 2.38]
The Holy Spirit is power. As He rested upon Jesus at His baptism, the Holy Spirit is promised to all who believe. The Holy Spirit is the power seen in Jesus' life and ministry.
It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus turned water into wine.
It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus healed the sick.
It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus raised the dead.
It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus walked on water.
It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus fed thousands of people with only a few morsels.
It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus laid down His own life for the world enduring unimaginable suffering.
Jesus told His disciples on numerous occasions that they would do the works He did, the most notable of which is John 14.12:
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]
Okay, so that foundation is laid... Now then, if the Holy Spirit is the Power to do the same works as Jesus, then, if the Holy Spirit is NOT present, then the same works of Jesus will not happen. Put another way, if the same works of Jesus do not happen, the Holy Spirit is not present.
Stay with me...
- The same works of Jesus do not happen if the Holy Spirit is not present...
- The Holy Spirit is not present if there has been no forgiveness from God...
- There is no forgiveness from God if we do not repent of our sins and turn to God (and it seems baptism in the name of Jesus plays a part as well)...
But it is the third point above that we must consider carefully and fully! Repentance must be examined for all it is, not just what we 'say' it is. Jesus was very clear that forgiveness from God was impossible if we do not forgive:
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [Matthew 6.14-15]
It might be said here then that inward repentance shows up outwardly in forgiving others. And, this is perfectly in line with all we know about repentance because genuine repentance aligns our heart with the heart and will of God. Although the forgiveness of God is a free gift, it cannot cohabit with unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is pride at its root and is never in line with the heart and will of God. Anyone who is unforgiving has not genuinely repented and, is therefore not a recipient of forgiveness (salvation) and, consequently not a recipient of the Holy Spirit, and, is naturally powerless (receiving or giving).
I am not satisfied with what I see in my own life as far as the power of the Holy Spirit goes. Regardless what one believes about the the Holy Spirit, we can all agree that the Holy Spirit never resides in an unbeliever! So, would it not be prudent to desire to see His power in our lives (as was actually seen in Jesus - not what spiritualized "feelings" we call it) if we believe we are saved? Jesus did say a tree is known by its fruit! And, Jesus did say the fruit we bear will only reflect the vine from which we are growing! The collective fruit Jesus bore (the souls touched) is listed above in the miraculous signs He performed! If the "vine" walked the earth in powerful demonstration of the Holy Spirit, then the "branches" CAN ONLY DO THE SAME (unless, of course, they are not attached to the vine)!
Are we so attached to our 'religion' that we will continue to deny that we do not look like Jesus?
Are we so protective of our religion that we would deny the obvious signs that we are unattached to Jesus (because the works we do look nothing like the works Jesus did)? The "branches" look nothing like the "vine" and yet we persist that we are "in Christ."
Father, I am overwhelmed with the lack of Christ-likeness I see in me today. I am comparing myself to Jesus right now and acknowledging to You that I look nothing like Him. Please forgive me and help me to change. Help me to let go of all the unforgiveness I have held on to - help me to look at people as You look at people, with compassion, patience, and forgiveness. Let my life display and give all the forgiveness I have been given.
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