Devotional
The Waiting is Over
"But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."
Luke 24:49
Luke 24:49
“Wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes…” This command is not for us. It was only for them who had not yet received the Spirit (John 7:39).
The day of Pentecost came with great power. There was sound, fire, and manifestation of spiritual gifts, and 3000 people became Christians after one sermon. It was the birth of the church. It was accompanied with a new sign, the Holy Spirit’s power.
When we become believers, we are born again into the kingdom of God. Our souls are washed clean by the same Holy Spirit and we receive that same Holy Spirit directly into our souls. This is the spiritual miracle of conversion. We do not have to wait for another ‘baptism of the Spirit’ like the disciples did (1 Cor 12:13). By faith, we already have what the disciples initially had to wait for. This is why the Christian life is powerful. It is what gives us the strength to overcome, to witness, to serve, to produce the fruit of the Spirit. It is not our calling to wait around for some divine miracle before we can say “Now we will serve” or “Here is my gift.” Since we have the Holy Spirit by faith, we must now serve Him without delay. He will guide us as we go. The waiting is over. Devoted service in his strength is now in order.
Brett
The day of Pentecost came with great power. There was sound, fire, and manifestation of spiritual gifts, and 3000 people became Christians after one sermon. It was the birth of the church. It was accompanied with a new sign, the Holy Spirit’s power.
When we become believers, we are born again into the kingdom of God. Our souls are washed clean by the same Holy Spirit and we receive that same Holy Spirit directly into our souls. This is the spiritual miracle of conversion. We do not have to wait for another ‘baptism of the Spirit’ like the disciples did (1 Cor 12:13). By faith, we already have what the disciples initially had to wait for. This is why the Christian life is powerful. It is what gives us the strength to overcome, to witness, to serve, to produce the fruit of the Spirit. It is not our calling to wait around for some divine miracle before we can say “Now we will serve” or “Here is my gift.” Since we have the Holy Spirit by faith, we must now serve Him without delay. He will guide us as we go. The waiting is over. Devoted service in his strength is now in order.
Brett