08/02/2018 - The Holy Spirit; He’s not a Reward
The Holy Spirit comes to us in two installments, the first is the one that leads us to God, and Jesus, and the second comes at some point after our conversion. There is no mandatory waiting period so you might have received both almost simultaneously. Do you have both inoculations, the initial injection, and then the booster? Did you even know of the Holy Spirit, or was it just a yearning for the Lord God that you felt, but couldn’t fully describe? Prayer is the way to the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and He is not a reward for righteousness, but rather a helpmate for our spirituality... especially in times of its greatest need.
“And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."”
Acts 19:1-2 ESV
Why would Paul ask these twelve men this question...”did you receive the Holy Spirit”? What was it about them that prompted him to ask such a question? Scripture doesn’t tell us directly, but there was something about their behavior, or demonstration of faith that tipped him off; there was something lacking that he saw or felt... he knew they needed help in taking a greater step into their faith.
“And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.”
Acts 19:6 ESV
At the moment we believe, and are saved, we know the Holy Spirit because He has lead us to that place in our faith in Jesus Christ, but He has more for us, and to receive it we must seek Him in prayer... just like the first disciples did. Have you sought this spiritual baptism, this partner to the water baptism of John... this second inoculation of faith?
“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”
Acts 1:14 ESV
All of those who were in prayer here in the upper room were sent there by Jesus just before his ascension, and told to wait. All of them were believers, but they needed something more before they could reach the fullness of power and faith that they would require to become successful missionaries, preachers of the Gospel, and saints. Their faith needed to be changed, perfected, super charged, into something more... it was lacking what Jesus had embodied His entire life. Listen to this as described by Andrew Murray...
“...so it is that only when believers acknowledge the sinful nature of their spiritual condition will the message of the full blessing of Pentecost find entrance into their hearts. The first disciples received the baptism on their knees. It will be on our knees that the full blessing will come to us today.” - Andrew Murray
Some believe this gift of the Holy Spirit was intended solely for the first disciples, others feel that it ended with the first century church, but there is no evidence of either of these reasonings; in fact quite the opposite is indicated. Paul saw it as an ongoing gift, and he continued to lead believers to the acceptance of the Holy Spirit, and it was powerful indeed...
“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”
Acts 19:11-12 ESV
Humbled in prayer before God we will find the Holy Spirit. On our knees in fervent prayer He will come to us. In our humility and the confession of our nature as men and women of spiritual shortcoming, it will be breathed upon us. This is more than a gift or tool, it is a total overhaul of who we are. It is the renewal of our mind.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Are you ready for this new you? Are you prepared to be remade in the image of God and Jesus Christ? If so then seek the Holy Spirit in fervent and humble prayer, and prepare yourself for a second inoculation of faith, a perfecting beyond your own ability, and a renewal that exceeds your wildest dreams.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who made it possible for me to obtain your grace and receive your forgiveness of my sins. I thank you also for your Holy Spirit that drew me, and called me to follow Him as He led me to you, and I thank you from the depths of my heart for His role as the comforter that Jesus has sent to remake my faith into one of power and strength. My life has been changed Holy Father, sometimes by the small steps of faith I take every day, but occasionally in broad and dramatic brushes... as it was by my baptism in your Holy Spirit. You are at work within me Father, and I welcome you; I confess my shortcomings and sins, and I kneel to receive your help in my life and faith. Lift me Merciful Father to places I can’t go on my own, to the saintliness that I can't attain without your continued reworking of the man who I once was into who you would have me be. Help all those who remain on their knees in anticipation of your Holy Spirit’s arrival, hear them as they confess their faults of faith without restraint... listen to them as they reveal to you, by their own free will, those things you have known about them from before their first breath. Place them on this road with me Mighty Father, and instill in us your power, mercy, and love. You are great beyond measure, and it is your glory that reflects on me. Holy, Holy, Holy are you, my God, whose might and power are shared with those who follow His Son Jesus, and love you with all their heat, soul, and mind.
Rich Forbes