But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon
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)
This power Christians receive, about which Jesus spoke and
Luke wrote, is nothing they can manufacture for themselves. Notice the verb
“will receive.” The power comes from the Holy Spirit (God). God gives it freely
to Christians. This power is part of God’s power and provides believers with
the ability to do what God tells them. God gives the ability to do what He
commands. This power is part of God’s ability; He can do anything and
everything.
With the power of God in them given by God Himself, what was
Jesus’ command to His followers? Jesus said Christians are to be witnesses.
Witnesses see and hear what God does and says. Witnesses can attest to God's actions
and words. Their statements—testimonies—give credence and more power (more
punch) so people are more inclined towards believing about God and believing in
Jesus.
In Acts 1:8, Luke recorded when Jesus said the Holy Spirit
will give Christians the power and ability to serve Jesus by testifying about
Him. God expects and empowers believers to hear, see, obey, and then tell other
people about Jesus. He compels them by the Holy Spirit, who lives within them,
to tell other people. As Christians grow closer to God, it becomes harder to
disobey God—His conviction through the Holy Spirit and power within them—and
their love for Jesus. Love for God (Father, Son, and Spirit) compels Christians
to obey, act, and say what Gods commands, compels, and empowers them to do with
His ability.
Understanding that the command, compulsion, and power to
obey comes from God makes it easier for the believer to tell whom and go to wherever
He leads easier. Love for God makes it easier each day to go further from our
safe space, from family, and from friends. That love for God and from Him makes
it possible to go far to be a witness about God and the gospel. It helps believers
realize no matter where they are, God is already there and always with them.
Going far away is easier when your love for God is greater than your love for yourself,
your dreams and plans, your parents, siblings, grandparents, and your friends.
When God is your everything, He becomes closer to you than these people and things;
He becomes mother, father, brother, sister, and friend in your heart. A
Christian does not leave these behind but finds that love for God fulfills the
love you need.
This means going to your city (Jerusalem), your state
(Judea), your country (elsewhere in your country, like Samaria), and the world
are easier because of your love for God and His for you. Going and telling is
easier because God empowers you with His ability. Witnessing about God is
easier because no doubt exists in your mind that God compels and sends you. Obeying
is easier because God’s love in you causes you to love the people you have not yet
met. God’s love in you gives you immeasurable concern for their spiritual
eternity and their lostness—lack of salvation and lack of relationship with
God.
Christians’ love for God and people is immense due to their
relationship with God and belief in Jesus, making sharing the gospel a necessity.
You will stretch yourself so that all people listen to testimony about Jesus. Your
relationship with God fulfills you completely, so you lack nothing - family,
friends, home, power, purpose, hope, and future. God fulfills each of these
needs; He becomes your everything.
What excuse do you
allow to keep you from a greater relationship with God, a relationship that
comes from obeying Him by being filled with His power and ability?
What excuse do you
give for not witnessing about Jesus to people?
God wants to be everything you need. Do not let a human
excuse keep you from the abundance of God and from God. Believe and bear
witness about Jesus.
