Theme: THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Text: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” – 1 Peter 1:22, 23.
Comment: No matter how deep one is in sin, one can change and become a true Christian by the transformative powers of the Holy spirit. The key is acknowledgement of one’s errors and the resolution not to tread the path of sin again. (Proverbs 28:13,14) “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” – Isaiah 1:18, 19.
When St. Paul went to Philippi, he went out to preach on the Sabbath day. Among those who listened was a woman called Lydia and she and her household immediately signified their conversion by being baptized. She demonstrated her love for God and His people by constraining St. Paul and his colleagues to lodge in her house. (Acts 16:14, 15) St. Paul states, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;…” – Ephesians 2:1, 2.
As disciples of Christ, we must not fall for the common deceit of Satan, (2 Corinthians 2:11), as to think that the knowledge God has given us is not adequate. Once one abandons the faith, the spirit of God will leave the person. “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” – Hebrews 10:39.