Monday, June 6, 2011

Not a Choice . . . a Commandment!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)

After Jesus rose from the grave, He spent many quality hours with His followers, explaining all the things that had occurred and answering many of their questions. One question, still asked today, was Lord, when are you coming back? (Acts 1:6).

Jesus' reply was to the point:
"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."
(Acts 1:7)

What followed from Jesus in the following sentence was instruction for each of us today.(Acts 1:8) What Jesus wanted His disciples and us to know is that the time He comes back is not as important as what we do in the mean time!

Once given the gift of the Holy Spirit (at the point of salvation)we shall be His witnesses!It is not a choice.

We are not given the power of the Holy Spirit to sit back and wait, but to engage others and live such a life that convinces them the Jesus is truly the One . . . the Messiah!

Matthew concludes his Gospel with these words of Jesus:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20)

Since we have the power given by the Lord to go, it is not a choice, but a commandment!

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