CLOTHED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE LIVE BY HIS POWER NOT OUR OWN

__________________________________________________

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10 –

We wonder at times why our lives are not filled with the life and power of the Holy Spirit. Why is the Christian life a struggle? Where is the peace we were promised? Where have we gone astray?

Too many Christians are missing out on the abundant life our Lord so generously desires to give us. His ultimate sacrifice has granted us His righteousness in place of our sins. We have right standing with our God. We live under the umbrella of His love and blessing… if we stay in surrender to Him.

We belie our Christian walk when we depend more on ourselves than on God. He is the source of abundant life. When we fail to tap into that source, our lives become off-track. There is a lack of peace and equanimity.

When we look to ourselves and not to God, we step out from under His blessing. We are essentially living as those who have no belief in God. We are relying upon our own power to do life.

“I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” – Luke 24:49

We were not meant to live life alone. Jesus told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem after His resurrection until they received the promised Holy Spirit. This group of followers, who had been with Jesus throughout His ministry on earth, were the very ones who scattered at His death. Jesus knew that their courage and power could not be found in themselves.

Yet these same disciples were transformed when clothed with the Holy Spirit. They stepped out with this new power and became instrumental in forming the early church. The gospel was taken to Jews and Gentiles alike. Their message was confirmed by signs, miracles and wonders.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” – James 4:10

Jesus does not want us to live as those who have no hope… those who rely on human power alone. We have a hope living within us – power from on high – the Holy Spirit. If we surrender to the lordship of Christ in our lives… living each day tapped into His power… yielding to His supreme authority, our lives will be transformed just like that of the disciples.

The Lord’s way will lead us into His best for us when we submit to the transforming power of His Holy Spirit. Our gracious God will bless us with abundant life. We need only give Him the reins.