Christian living is characterized by a life that is Spirit-led and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Because of that, it is abnormal for Christians to live humanly normal lives.
For the difference the Holy Spirit can make in our lives, we have only to look at the experience of Jesus’ disciples. After He was crucified, they were hiding and afraid. After being baptized with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, however, their lives were radically transformed.
As the apostles went about ministering after Jesus returned to heaven, God used them supernaturally through the Holy Spirit.
As you read about the supernatural experience of the first century apostles and the experience of the church today, you can’t help but notice the marked difference between the two.
I know I may not be comparing apples to apples when I talk about the apostles and today’s church. Some of the ways God used the apostles may be specific to the time in which they lived. But the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives cannot be denied.
The question is how can we experience the Holy Spirit in greater measure in the church today?
To answer that question, let’s consider the purpose of the Holy Spirit as it relates to Christian living. His purpose is to help us successfully live for Christ. We can’t possibly do that without His help.
The same thing is true regarding our service as ministers of the Lord. He has not called us to do things we can comfortably do in our own strength. Rather, He calls us to do things that are bigger than we are.
Place a Demand on the Holy Spirit
For the key to how we experience the Holy Spirit in greater measure, consider the words of Jesus to His disciples prior to His return to heaven. He said, “I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49, NASB).
Jesus was telling them to wait until they receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Why? Because they could not effectively do what He was commanding them to do without being empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The point is that we only need the Holy Spirit to help us when we are doing those things we can’t do in our own strength. That’s the key to experiencing the Holy Spirit in greater measure. We must put a demand on the Holy Spirit to do things that are beyond our ability.
If all you do is live life in your comfort zone, you will not experience the work of the Holy Spirit in any appreciable measure in your life. Think about it. Why do you need the Holy Spirit to help you live a purely natural life or a self-serving life? The answer is you don’t. No practical value exists in the Holy Spirit helping you to do what you can comfortably do yourself.
Again, there is but one way to experience real power from the Holy Spirit in your life. You must put a demand on the Holy Spirit to help you accomplish something for the Kingdom that you can’t do on your own. This can be accomplished only by moving beyond your comfort zone and trusting the Lord for your success.
Are you living a life that puts a demand on the Holy Spirit for His power in your life?
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
Bisi
Thank you Pastor Frank for sharing this is true. One reason God the Father sent us the Holy Spirit is to be endued with power from on high (Luke 24: 49). As we yield to Him, we will go in the empowerment of heaven,