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38 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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39.

 In recent weeks we have discussed God’s plan for our lives and the acceptance of the Holy Spirit with us and before us throughout our faith journey. I am remiss in not beginning with the importance of the first invitation from God that begins our trek. John Wesley referred to our initial calling as the recognition of God’s prevenient grace, or our response to the quiet voice that guides us to accept Christ… and be baptized. Baptism is an outward public recognition of our acceptance of Christ and of the Holy Spirit as our spiritual guide. In baptism a pastor recognizes our commitment with water but Jesus baptizes us with the fire of the Holy Spirit… and our life forever changes. John the Baptist spoke from the banks of the Jordan, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.1 We grow to understand that the Holy Spirit doesn’t reside in a church, or heaven, or anywhere far away but in our hearts. We are transformed by the Advocate… and Jesus lives within us.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27.

 Our lives are guided by the commandments of a loving God and in the acceptance of the teachings of Christ. His guidance and wisdom allow us to emerge as disciples of the Risen Lord. The faith journey is a progressive ongoing battle to denying ourselves and to serve Jesus. I suggest that the evolution to discipleship doesn’t happen in a day or a week but over time as we seek God and the Holy Spirit teaches us all things. Perhaps our faith journey is somewhat like the first disciples who followed Jesus initially in training and then in service. The Holy Spirit is our spiritual trainer preparing and guiding us in a path to discipleship.

We learn to replace the “I wants” with a faithful response to the directives of the Holy Spirit. It is a constant personal internal battle of schedule and allocation of resources. We are temples for the Holy Spirit,… we are not our own.2

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

 Charles Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship, visited a unique prison in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil that was turned over by the government to two Christian volunteers. The prison is adorned with scripture and given the mission to take the most wanted converting them into Christians and valued members of the community. The prison is divided into levels of security moving inmates from strict incarceration to a skill-based work release program all accomplished through the redeeming power of prayer, the teachings of Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. On his first visit Colson was told of a block house once used by the government for torture and solitary confinement now only housing one prisoner. Charles asked to see the prisoner and was led down a long, dank, poorly lighted corridor to a large iron door. As the guide placed the key in the lock he asked, “Are you sure you want to go in?”. Colson responded, “Of course, I have been in isolation cells all over the world.” Slowly he opened the door to reveal a massive carved crucifix of Jesus hanging on the cross. The guide quietly said, “He’s doing time for the rest of us.”3

 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. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11.

 

Paul is explaining to the churches of Rome that our opportunity for a life ever after is based on opening our heart to our Savior and pushing back the world. The redeeming power of Jesus is available to everyone and only a prayer away. As we grow in faith, we make the conscious decision to serve, not out of fear, but in in response to His love. We serve Christ because we are loved and it is in that love that we are forever a child of God.

 

Prayer: Father transform us into disciples to serve the Risen Lord. Open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and help us to seek a life of righteousness found in Your teachings. Guide us in pushing away the influences of the world and replacing those distractions with a true and genuine love for Jesus. We ask for Your blessings on our families, our church, and our community. We make this prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

1 Matthew 3:11.

2 1 Corinthians 6:19.

3 Max Lucado, Stories for Your Soul: Ordinary People. Extraordinary God. Published by Thomas Nelson 2024, Page 184.

The Wesleyan Bridge is written by K.B. Kelly with the Reverend Valerie Mireb and Pastor Hank Brooks as Theological Editors and Debbie Kelly as Text and Content Editor.