Coria Brock
March 16, 2024
Psalm 51:10-12, English Standard Version
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
Where were the disciples of Jesus when He was being brutally beaten and crucified on the cross? Weren’t they baptized with water, didn’t they walk with Jesus, and weren’t they repentant for their sins? Yes, they were! Then why did they scatter and run away from Jesus when the soldiers came to arrest Him? And why did Peter deny Jesus when Jesus was facing persecution? What if we apply the same question to our daily lives and the decisions and actions we take?
For Instance:
Why are we still tempted even when we know what Jesus has done for us?
If we truly know Jesus is faithful and He is truthful, why do we still deny His word so we can justify our wrongdoings?
If we pray and cry out to the Father in the name of Jesus, why are we still speaking harm and negative words about others and ourselves?
Why are we still holding onto unforgiveness of others while we receive the forgiveness of Jesus for ourselves?
Do we not care about the hurt that Jesus endured as we were denying Him and taking advantage of His forgiveness? The answer can be seen through His twelve disciples and also those who betrayed Him. And it is all the same reason – the weakness of the flesh.
As a Christ believer, we may follow the same practices which have been established for decades. Go to church, read the Bible, listen to Christian music, join the youth group or Bible study, be baptized in water, pray and fast, repent and be forgiven. Just as the twelve disciples of Jesus did. They went to the temple with Jesus and heard His word. They sang songs and praises, they assembled with two thousand and five thousand, were baptized in water, prayed and fasted. They repented and were forgiven. They even witnessed firsthand the signs and wonders that Jesus performed. Yet, they reacted through fear, doubt, and their own understanding.
But Jesus knew even before the denial. Before He ascended to His heavenly home, “…He gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 1:4, NIV) And He further encouraged them saying, “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, NIV) And you know how the story of His disciples went from that point forward.
Their transformation occurred in the moment they were baptized in Spirit. From gladly receiving His forgiveness, to seeking the heart of Jesus and living for the will of the Father. They no longer ran from the possibility of persecution, but walked the path that Jesus set before them with boldness. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, I want to urge you to no longer lean on your own understanding, might, or strength. As we get closer to the end time, we can only stand firm when we are one with the Holy Spirit.