...because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
When you read that verse you see that the gospel came by more than just words. When I think of God's word, a lot of the time we just focus on the words rather than the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of God. Which there is nothing wrong with that. It's a great thing to read the word of God and to do what it says. Christ loves obedience. I just think we don't give the Holy Spirit enough credit. I hope what I am trying to say to you makes sense and is clear.
The one point I am trying to make with this post is that the gospel didn't come only by words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. The gospel came with power. How powerful is that sentence?
The gospel came "with power," it had a powerful effect on the Thessalonians. Whenever the bible is heard and obeyed, lives are changed! Christianity is more than a collection of interesting facts it is the power of God to everyone who believes. Again, I believe people get caught up in thinking our lives are one big rule book. Everything is so much more simple than what we make of it or how we even think about it. I wonder what has God's power done in your life since you first believed?
The Holy Sprit changes people when they believe the gospel. When we tell others about Christ, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open their eyes and convince them that they need salvation. God's power changes people-not our cleverness or persuasion. Without the work of the Holy Spirt, our words are meaningless. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures them of the truth of the gospel.
Without the Holy Spirit we are incapable. We think we have the power to change someones life and to make people feel better but that is the work of the Holy Spirit. We can play a role in helping others when we have the Holy Spirit in us. I love to encourage and to try and make people feel like they are loved, but nothing I ever say with my own words can do that. It is all the work of the Holy Spirit. Me writing this post is the work of the Holy Spirit. Every single time, day after day, post after post. It's never about me! The Holy Spirit is incredible. It's impossible to come up with the correct words to describe the power of the Holy Spirit.
Next time you know someone who is struggling with something and you want to help then out, really pray that the Holy Spirit will do work in their heart and in your heart. It'll work, I promise.
You might have noticed as well that the verse I shared above ends like this: "You know how we lived among you for your sake." The Thessalonians had seen that what Paul, Silas, and Timothy were preaching was true because these men had lived it.
I want to finish with this question for you:
Does your life confirm or contradict what you say you believe?
No comments:
Post a Comment