The Gift

Guest Post by Leslie Schonfeld

His Word: Acts 2:38 (NIV) 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.

Observation: Empowered by the Pentecost experience, Peter delivered this impactful speech. Thousands came to Christ. His passion persuaded them to accept Jesus and all were empowered by the Spirit dwelling in Peter. 

Repent and receive. We often concentrate on the difficultly of repentance. Focused on changing ourselves, we miss the fulfilled promise delivered to us by Jesus death and resurrection. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we turn our lives over to Jesus. 

A gift! A present; FREE! No payment needed. Can you imagine if we had rules and requirements receiving gifts? Imagine Christmas morning. The presents entice us from under the tree. We have counted the days, early in the morning we run to them. The anticipation is over. It’s here! We gather with our families but we don’t feel adequate enough for the love shared there. We don’t touch the presents. We are not good enough. Maybe someday; but not today. Each gift remains under the tree untouched as we work to be worthy. 

Sounds a little silly doesn’t it. At my house, as soon as everyone is in the room, the paper flies! Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love to give and get gifts. There is joy in unconditional giving and receiving. Yet, for many of us we have a living gift residing in us that we push aside. Wrapped in a tidy package, we tuck it away in the faith corner of our soul. We point it out when others ask about it but we don’t utilize it.

We need to embrace God’s gift. As we unwrap the Holy Spirit, His presence covers us with comfort and peace. The Spirits indwelling is the source of our strength. When we yield our control to Him; His fruits grow.   Make room for them. His fruits (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) then become gifts we give to others. As we give the Spirit grows. 

Yes, repentance is a necessary part of the Spirit indwelling but it is a process that takes time. The more we utilize the gift the more we reflect God. Paul reminds us of this in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV) “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Spirit through the sacrifice of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Help us to open this gift daily. Grow the fruits in us so we may give to others what we have received from you. Help us to be mindful of this in all we do. In Jesus name, AMEN.

Encouragement: “The Holy Spirit can be with you always and guide you back to Him, but in order to enjoy the benefits of this holy gift, you must truly receive it, and then you must use it in your life. How sad it would be to be given such a precious gift and then set it aside and never use it.” -Margaret D. Nadauld