You are going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you must be witnesses for Me. (Acts 1:8 The New Testament, Charles B. Williams, MBI, 1949)
In our last study we discovered how each of us can receive the amazing gift of eternal life through trusting in Jesus Christ. Once we receive this gift and accept the promise of having eternal life another dynamic emerges. We become ambassadors for God, commissioned to share the good news with those around us.
Asking Jesus Christ to be in control of our lives will make a difference in how we live. The Bible promises that the Holy Spirit enters our lives when we trust in Jesus Christ. If we don’t have the Holy Spirit present and operating in us Paul says in Romans 8:9, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” The Holy Spirit will bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
He also will teach us, primarily through the Bible, which He guided men chosen by God to write. Through His teaching He will guide us in the truth. He does all of this so that our lives bear witness to what Jesus Christ has done and is doing in us. As opportunity presents itself He will prompt us and empower us to share with others what we have received so they too can take the step of commitment to and faith in Jesus Christ.
There is no greater gift you could give anyone. Paul felt both obligated and eager to do this (Romans 1:14-15). He knew some would not understand and others would reject the offer and oppose you for confronting them with it. But he firmly declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
Are you constrained to follow Paul’s example?
