But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you… – Acts 1:8
There is a divine power within the born again Christian. Many who know and accept this truth will forever on earth enjoy the positive and sweet effects of this divine power.
The power within is very important that the born again Christian should not ignore it. Christians can best function on earth and rule over their enemies when power within is activated and used. God promised this free gift to mankind. I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…. – Joel 2:28.
All flesh has access to this free gift but in Christ alone can one receive it. Evidently the born again Christian has this gift at birth. This is to say when a person is born again the power within is given to be utilized. It is like conceiving a baby – the spirit is automatically given to the baby at conception.
The Power within is the Holy Spirit
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. – Matthew 1:20
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. – Acts 10:38
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him – Luke 2:40
Jesus Christ was filled with the Holy Spirit even in the womb of his mother Mary. He grew up filled with the Spirit. Jesus Christ openly operated by the Holy Spirit. He did nothing without the Holy Spirit.
The Power within comes at conversion
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: – Romans 8:14-16
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7
Christians receive the Holy Spirit at conversion – when they become born again. Anytime a person accepts Jesus Christ as savior he receives the Holy Spirit. The truth is every Christian has the Holy Spirit – the power within. Some may doubt if they really have the Holy Spirit, but they do. They are ignorant of what belongs to them. And since they do not know what they have they do not use to their personal benefit. These Christians go round looking for what they have in possession – How pitiful.
When a child is conceived at the earliest stages of pregnancy, it is a male sperm which fertilizes a female egg. This happens without a spirit form added to the process of fertilization. But we know every human being is made of a spirit, soul and body. How is the spirit given to the child at conception? Only God knows how. The spirit is automatically added by God – the giver of life. In the same way, when a person becomes born again, by faith the Holy Spirit is given to him automatically. It is God’s free gift to man through faith in Jesus Christ. Every believer has the power within – The Holy Spirit.
The reason some Christians do not feel the presence and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives may vary from one person to another. Possible reasons may be ignorance, sin, unbelief, etc.
Indwelling of Spirit and Infilling of the Spirit
There is a difference between being filled with the Spirit and having the Spirit living in you. Having the spirit living in you is like pouring water into a glass to a particular level. And being filled with the Holy Spirit is like pouring water into a glass to the brim or overflow.
Christians who are filled with Holy Spirit usually exercise the gifts of the Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 12. There is a manifestation, an outward exhibition of power and demonstration by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit uses these Christians as vessels to edify the church. Paul urged all to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; – Ephesians 5:18. And every believer must desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit for their own benefits and that of others [church].
The Power within is like electricity
Like electricity the power within is beneficial to the individual and church. If a person knows how to activate and use the power within he will enjoy the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus taught the disciples how to pray this way ‘…Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven – Matthew 6:10
The kingdom of God has come and dwells in our hearts. To do the will of God on earth is to operate by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ said ‘…for without me ye can do nothing. – John 15:5.
In a house, we may have access to electricity but until we know how to use it we cannot enjoy its benefits. One must plug in the phone charger to be able to power up the phone’s battery. If a person does not plug in the charger he cannot benefit from the electricity though power may be available. In the same way if a person does not turn on the light when its dark then the room will not have lights though there may be electric power available.
Many Christians have access to the power within but ignorance, sin and unbelief have handicapped them to their own disadvantage. The power is within us. We have power over sin, sicknesses, infirmities, curses, and demons. We can do all things through Christ. It is time to wake up! It is time to awaken the power within!! It is time to activate the power within us! Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. – Isaiah 60:1