Glory to Glory

Part 7: What Are You Waiting For?

When we believe in Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us. However, sometimes we wait to receive it, postponing the opportunity for God to transform us. It is like having a gym membership but not working out, being enrolled in school but not taking classes, or even getting raises but never seeming to have any money.

In Acts 19, Paul asked the people of Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The Greek word for “receive” in this passage is an active word. To receive something is to reach out and grab it, open it, and use it for its intended purpose. We find out later that Paul gauged people’s receipt of the Holy Spirit by the evidence of gifts or fruit of the Spirit.

When you receive the Spirit of God, it changes you, giving you the supernatural desire and ability to bring God’s glory into the world. He shows up in us to spread his love and goodness to those around us.