Praise & Pray

Do we actually belong to Christ, and would He claim us as His? Do we bear His name? These questions aren't ridiculous. Don't forget Matthew 7, where the Savior taught that many who call Him Lord will not enter heaven on judgment day. This includes those who did signs and wonders in His name. He will nevertheless reject them because they did not do the will of God, the Father (Matthew 7:21-23).

That warning has encouraged me to maintain a healthy fear of the Lord. It keeps me from doing things that seem normal to those who don't yet fear Him. The possibility of being a Christian who misses heaven has encouraged me to submit myself all the more to God's word and His Spirit.

And it is this latter point that can interfere with many Christians' ability to enter heaven. Many of us resist Christ's instruction to receive and be led by the Holy Spirit (John 4:26). It makes sense in a way. We live in a time where independence and agency have become hallmarks of modern existence. These ideals are not inherently bad, but when applied without the fear of the Lord, many end up living in a way where God Himself becomes irrelevant.

This is a problem, and it ignores the warning in Romans 8:9 - You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. We therefore cannot claim to be true disciples of Jesus if we lack His Spirit, the very Spirit of God Almighty. It is only through the Spirit that any of us can do the will of the Father and become His children.

The fullness of Christ's gifts and calling only flowed after the Holy Spirit descended on Him as a dove during His water baptism by John the Baptist (Matthew 3). Many of us have been stifled in our Kingdom identity and purpose because we haven't allowed that same dove to descend on us. We've resisted God's desire to fill us with His Spirit, focusing on the belief that submission would quash who we are and stop us from doing what we want.

We've, however, ignored that the Spirit is the only thing that distinguishes us from others and is our ticket to heaven. We won't get there by claiming to follow Jesus, belonging to a Christian family, or even serving in church. The hallmark of belonging to Jesus is whether you've received the Holy Spirit. And that is just the beginning, because from that point, we have to grow in listening to and being led by that Spirit. This is why, when Paul met about 12 disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus. He spoke urgently to them about the Holy Spirit and receiving the baptism of Jesus (Acts 19).

Today, I am speaking urgently to you about the Holy Spirit and receiving the baptism of Jesus. You don't need to be like those men Paul ministered to, who believed but hadn't stepped into the fullness of the faith. Something was missing in their walk. They didn't even realize they needed more and that the Holy Spirit was key to this. But once they received the Spirit of God, they spoke in tongues and prophesied, becoming vessels through whom God's gifts and fruits were displayed. In an instant, they became true disciples of the Son of God.

There is no better moment to go beyond where you currently are in your walk. This is your chance to tell God you want His Spirit to live in you. Remember, Jesus came so that everyone who believed in Him could become a living temple in which the Lord would dwell. I sincerely implore you to lay yourself down as a living sacrifice that will rise filled with the Spirit of the Lord. Ask to be filled and to be marked by speaking in tongues and the other gifts that manifest in those who belong to the Almighty. Jesus promised that when we ask for the Holy Spirit, God will give this gift (Luke 11:13).

Please, don't assume you can wait to give your life to God until after you have satisfied your flesh with the sinful delights of this world. By then, sin will be so deeply rooted in you that returning to God will be much harder than choosing to faithfully walk with Him right now. I don't know who this message is for, but I know you are reading. You have backslidden, but think you are still a true disciple. That doesn't matter because God wants you back. He wants to fill you with His Spirit so Jesus can claim you and stand as your Advocate. He wants your name written in heaven's scrolls. Don't run away from Him. Give or recommit your life to Jesus and ask for God's Spirit so Christ can claim you as His own.

God bless you and see you at fellowship, right here, at Noon EST. If there's anything above you have questions about, don't hesitate to click the hyperlinks (they lead to my personal, safe website with Praise & Pray posts). Plus, you can ask your questions below. We are all learning and on a journey to becoming who God created us to be, so let's grow together by sharing questions, scripture, and Spirit-led wisdom.

Give your life to Christ with the Altar Call below and learn more about today's topic from the following previous P&P messages:

1. Will He Know You?

2. The Name of Jesus Pt 1

3. The Name of Jesus Pt 2

4. Appreciate Jesus

5. Holy Spirit is the Secret Sauce

6. Praise God That You Bear His Name

7. Give Your Life To Christ

8. Do You Love Jesus?

9. Spirit-Filled But Worldly?

10. Stop Living Like A Pagan

11. What Would God See When He Looks At Your Heart?

12. The Lie That Heaven Is Beyond Reach

13. Are You Truly A Christian?

14. Do You Look Like Him?

15. Topic: Dear Christians

16. Topic: God's Children

17. Topic: Jesus Christ

18. Topic: Holy Spirit