Bible Reading: Job 42:1-5
Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” Job 42:1-2
“EVEN IF IT’S TRUE that I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day,” Matt complained, “I think maybe I have a leak. I don’t feel him. I’m not sure if he comes and goes or what. I’m a little nervous that he’ll just up and leave. Or maybe he was never in me to begin with. I’m confused.”
Most of us need to know more about how the Holy Spirit works. Unlike your heart, which beats whether you ask it to or not, the Holy Spirit does his best work when you invite him to do his thing and make you more like your Lord.
So here’s the scoop. When you ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you aren’t asking the Holy Spirit into your life. He’s already there. As a Christian you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit only once, at the time you first trust Christ. But you are to be filled repeatedly. You can ask the already-there Holy Spirit to control every part of your life, every hidden crack, corner, and crevice. As you do, you tap into his power. You let go of the frustration of trying to be a Christian using your own strength and instead rely on the Holy Spirit’s strength to obey and serve God.
So do you want a life filled with the Spirit and his competence? You only need to ask the Father for it. Admit that you have been in control of your life-a sin against God, the rightful ruler of your life. Thank him for forgiving your sins through Christ’s death on the cross for you. Invite Christ to take control of your life, and invite his Spirit to empower you so you can glorify Christ in all you do. Then thank him for doing what you have asked. (By the way, you aren’t being arrogant to thank God before you actually experience the result of your request. Saying thanks is an act of faith that he will keep his promise to give you whatever you ask that fits his will. And since he commands you to be filled with the Holy Spirit, you know it’s his will that you ask and receive.)
The apostle Paul cheered that he was competent because of the Holy Spirit’s empowering. “I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need,” he proclaimed (Philippians 4: 13). The emphasis isn’t on what Paul can do but on what Christ-the source of his strength-can do. Paul attempted great things for God because he expected great things from God. And so can you, because your competence comes from God (see 2 Corinthians 3:5).
When you are empowered with the Spirit, you are teamed up with the God who can do everything. Don’t doubt that he’s in you. If you believe in Jesus, he is. He will stick with you and do all that he has promised to do. No fooling. And no leaks!
REFLECT: Are you allowing God to do his great work through you?
PRAY: Invite God to change inside you whatever he sees that needs changing.
