Christ's first disciples and followers were ordinary people – they were fishermen and tradesmen. They didn’t have large amounts of wealth or status. They were ordinary. Then, at Pentecost, something extraordinary happened – they were filled with the Holy Spirit and life was never the same.
When we accept Christ, we, too, go from being ordinary people to being filled with the Holy Spirit. We are dramatically changed; we are a new creation. We are changed from ordinary men and women of God to men and women who are extraordinarily enabled by His Spirit–bold in faith and instruments of God's power.
Today, the same Holy Spirit with His life-changing power resides in each of us. Yet, tragically, multitudes of Christians go through life without ever experiencing the satisfied and fruitful life that Christ promised to all who trust Him.
In this lesson, you will examine the reasons so few Christians have experienced the empowering of the Spirit, even though He lives within them. And you will have the opportunity to consider any barriers you may have put up between yourself and God. Meditate and reflect on how each may apply to your own life.
Basically, the reason most Christians are not filled with the Holy Spirit is that they are unwilling to surrender to God. Being empowered is not a second experience to seek out, it’s about the daily and ongoing submission of our wills.
Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against you. I thank you that you have forgiven my sins through Christ's death on the cross for me. I now invite you to again take your place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as you commanded me to be filled. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank you for taking control of my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.
Adapted from The 10 Basic Steps Toward Christian Maturity, by Bill Bright, co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. © Cru. All rights reserved.
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