Thursday, May 19, 2005
Acts 19:1-2 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
THERE'S MORE THAN A "FORCE" WITH YOU
We spend considerable time thinking about the special work of God the Father; how He creates and preserves all the life in the earth. We also spend considerable time studying the special work of God the Son, for Jesus indeed suffered, died, and rose again to atone for our sins. But do we think as often about the Holy Spirit? The Apostle Paul once ran into some disciples at Ephesus who had not even heard that the Holy Spirit existed!
The world which does not know better sometimes thinks that the Holy Spirit is just a rather nebulous "power source" for the believer -- like electricity -- a spiritual "battery" that folks plug into for a recharge of some kind, not unlike the "force" used by Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films. But the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal field of "good power and energy" floating around the universe for Christians to use. No, the Holy Spirit is your God!
As your God, He testifies to you concerning Jesus Christ (Jn 15:26). Show me a mere "force" that can do that! As your God, the Spirit is personally interested in you. He cares about each precious soul. He has the ability to act thoughtfully and lovingly on your behalf. He can lead you in the paths of righteousness and He can show you the cross of Jesus in all its glory for the forgiveness of your sins and the salvation of your souls. He is your Friend and Comforter.
"Holy Spirit, God of Love,
Who our night dost brighten,
Poured on us from heav'n above,
Now our faith enlighten.
In Thy light we gather here;
Show us that Christ's promise clear
Is Amen forever. Jesus, our ascended Lord,
Oh, fulfil Thy gracious Word:
Bless us with Thy favor!" (TLH 230)
