Your first response would probably be the Holy Spirit that dwells within. There is no doubt that the power of God trumps everything and anything when it comes to power. In Luke 24:49, Jesus tells those who are His followers that He will send them the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell within them. This power will help them to overcome temptation, and aid them in being a witness for Him.
Luke 24:49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
When we repent of our sins and surrender our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. However, like any power, it is only as effective as the user. If you have the most powerful piece of equipment but don’t utilize it properly it will not run. You have elements that must be in place for it to run. These usually involve gas, oil, possibly electricity, and proper maintenance. Our spiritual lives are no different. We must be in tune with the Holy Spirit for His power to be working on our behalf.
I believe that scripture makes it clear that our response to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, is the response of obedience. Jesus states in John 14:15 that our love is shown by our obedience. He was getting ready to leave them and be crucified. He didn’t want them to profess to be His follower, or to show their love by their grief, but to show it by their obedience. Profession only is not proof of our love. We show our love to Him and others watching, by denying ourselves, following through in obedience, during the good and bad times. There should be no difference in our behavior because of outside forces that do or don’t, go our way. We are to be willing without hesitation or complaining, to do all that God has commanded. Will we be perfect at obeying? No, but as we practice it more and more, we will get better. Each time we disobey we will feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and we will repent if we truly want to obey.
John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
In the world of evangelical churches, we are constantly seeking programs or strategies to build our churches. We want to hire those who have dynamic personalities and seem to exhibit great spiritual gifts. While there is nothing wrong with dynamic personalities and being endowed with gifts, that is not what God is looking for. He is looking for those who are obedient to Him. That is how we show who and what we love.
One area that God commands is in witnessing to others. I believe this is at the heart of God. He demonstrated that when He gave His Son to die for the souls of men. The winning of souls is God’s business, only He alone does the saving, but He wants us to be the mouthpiece to spread His word. A person can only get saved when the spirit draws Him, but we are to keep sowing the seed.
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
God wants us to be faithful. Faithful to attend church. Not just Sunday morning, but every possible opportunity we can. Placing church as a priority, rather than a time slot we need to fill. In Hebrews 10:25, we are commanded to not forsake the assembling. Some in the church had started to not see church attendance as vital to their obedience. However, the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that the closer we get to the coming of Christ, the more we should be assembling together.
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Paul gives a list of things we need to be doing in I Thessalonians. It’s a long one, but not complete. There is no way to list every command that God gives, but if we will seek to study to stay faithful to a fundamental, evangelical church we will know what to do, and as I stated earlier the Holy Spirit will convict us when we do wrong.
I Thessalonians 5:14-23 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. (15) See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. (16) Rejoice evermore. (17) Pray without ceasing. (18) In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (19) Quench not the Spirit. (20) Despise not prophecies. (21) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (22) Abstain from all appearance of evil. (23) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Obedience is the greatest way we can show our love for God, and each step we take toward seeking to please Him will aid us in loving Him more. We don’t need more programs, more education, or more worldly ways to reach the world. We need to follow in simple obedience and trust God to do the rest.
