The Power to Do Things
J. Allen Blair
Over the course of the Christian ministry, there have been requests that have come to me that seem far beyond my ability and capability. But after prayer, I did them with good success. Do you know how? It is through the power of the Holy Spirit who never fails God's people.
A Buddhist monk was well acquainted with both Christianity and Buddhism. He was asked what he thought was the most noticeable difference between the two. He said, "There is much that is good in each of them, and probably in all religions. But what seems to me to be the most profound difference is that Christians know what is right and have the power to do it, while we Buddhists know what is right, but we do not have such power."
This Buddhist monk could not have been more accurate. In fact, this is the marked difference between Christianity and all religions. As Christians, we have the power to do right because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is not our power, but Divine power working in us through the third person of the Trinity. The moment one is converted by acknowledging Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit enters his life, never to leave. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He declared in John 14:16 I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.
The Holy Spirit is the great comforter whom each Christian has to lean on in the difficult times. That is not His only function. He has at least seven other responsibilities:
1. He convicts of sins. If the believer does or says something displeasing to God, the Holy Spirit brings conviction upon him. If a person hears a message and recognizes his need of salvation, there is a conviction that comes through the Holy Spirit.
2. When a person believes on Christ, the Holy Spirit quickens him and plants new life into him, whereby he becomes a new creation.
3. The Holy Spirit seals the believer, which means nothing in all the world can remove his salvation from him. He is sealed by God and protected by God from the wicked one.
4. The Holy Spirit liberates us. A person does not have freedom from sin until he comes to Christ, and then the Spirit of God moves into his life to give him the joy and peace of believing.
5. The Holy Spirit endues us with power beyond human ability. We can accomplish things we could never have done in the unsaved state.
6. The Holy Spirit anoints us for specific tasks and opportunities to serve Christ.
7. He fills us (controls us) on the basis of a surrendered life. When we turn everything over to Christ, the Holy Spirit takes full control, and as we follow Him and His leading we shall continue in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
God says to His people in Ephesians 5:18, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. This means to let the Holy Spirit direct you in all things. Be under His control and leadership. Don't try to run your own life. Let God do it through His Spirit. This is the happy life. No matter what comes, good or bad, God being in control produces happiness. This is why Christians can smile in the midst of deepest sorrow. They have peace that only the Holy Spirit can give. The Holy Spirit is power. Paul declared in Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. This is the power unknown to the natural mind.
The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, Christ lives in me. Where Christ is, that is where the Holy Spirit is as well. We have sufficient power for all our days on this earth for fruitfulness, to overcome temptation, and to love even the unlovely.
When a preacher stands to proclaim the Gospel, God the Holy Spirit will convict lost souls of their sins and souls will be saved. Where did the preacher get this power? He didn't get it when he was handed his college or seminary degree. He didn't get it out of a book. He got it from God through the Spirit of God. This is where the power is not in us, but in the Holy Spirit. We must, in full dependence upon Him, follow His leading and direction at all times. There are no limits as to what God can and will do through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why it is so important that every believer be completely yielded to the Spirit's control.
When I was a boy, Babe Ruth was the leading home run hitter in the world with fame and fortune and all that goes with it. He said, "Most of the people with talent in my life were not famous. Nobody ever heard of them except those who knew and loved them. I knew an old minister once, his hair was white and his face shone. I have written my name on thousands of baseballs in my life. The old minister wrote his name on just a few simple hearts. How I envy him. He was not trying to please his own immortal soul, so fame never came to him. I am listed as a famous home run hitter. Yet beside that obscure minister who was so good and so wise, I never got to first base."
What distinguished this aged minister from everyone around him? Very simply, he was under the control of the Holy Spirit and God used him to touch lives. The Lord provided the Holy Spirit for all of His people and wants to use each of us. He can only do this as we take our hands off and let the Holy Spirit put His hands on. Can you say today that He is in control of your life, or are you in control? Are you running it? I ran my life for a long time. Finally, I gave it over to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit took control. What a difference it made! Ever since, I have tried to live under the control of the Holy Spirit. When I have failed, it was not God's fault, rather my fault.
Who is running your life? If you are a Christian, is the Spirit of God in the drivers seat, or are you? If the Holy Spirit is in control, you are enjoying a life of victory and blessing. If you are in control, it could be a very miserable existence. Oh yes, you are saved and on your way to heaven. But there is time before you get there that should be lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. Give Him the right of way and see what happens.
If you are one who has never taken Christ into your life, now is the time. Delay can be tragic. Don't let this happen to you. Receive Jesus as you bow head in prayer and say, "Jesus, I am sorry for my sin and I want to be saved. Come into my life and save me." And He will!
I declare unto you the Gospel...by which also you are saved...Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He rose again. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
Youth in Action!
The following letter was received in our office and we asked permission to share it with our friends.
The Lord bless thee and keep thee.
(caption on the stationery)
Glad Tidings, thank you so much for thinking of me when you send me your monthly newsletter. At almost 15 years of age, it makes me happy to see that I can help. I am writing to order a set of the "tip tracts" that I saw on the Internet. I don't have any other money to donate but I saw in the newsletter that you had a tract, Kick the Habit. I think it would benefit someone I know. It is advertised as free of charge and that is a true blessing. I am keeping you in my prayers. The money for the tracts is enclosed.
H. N. Virginia Beach, VA
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