Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”           Acts 2:38 NIV

Yesterday I described the change from His Old Testament role of short-term empowerment to His residing permanently within every believer – starting at salvation. Unfortunately, many Christians assume that the indwelling is an event that occurs sometime after one is saved. The question, “Have you gotten the Holy Spirit?” still gets asked, as if receiving Jesus and being indwelled by His Spirit are unrelated events. Here is the plain truth: A new believer receives the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence at salvation. We need not attend a special service or pray for His arrival. The moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ, as our Saviour and Lord, His Spirit comes to abide with us forever. The Bible clearly tells what happens: 1) we listen to the gospel; 2) we believe the gospel; 3) we’re sealed in Christ with His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). In John 14:16, Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, “The Father will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” That means He is there to stay. The Holy Spirit lives permanently within us, as Christians. This is important, since without Him, it’s impossible to serve God successfully or joyfully. Once we understand this fundamental truth, our faith is going to grow. We’ll know that rather than trying to “get the Spirit,” we need to live like the Spirit-filled Christians we are. Are you living and depending on the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power every day?

PRAYER THOUGHT

Holy Spirit, thank You that we live each day in dependence upon You.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Holy Spirit, thank You for living permanently within us. For without You, it’s impossible to serve our Lord successfully or joyfully. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

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