"The time has come," (Jesus) said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
~ Mark 1:15 (NIV)
If we are not careful, we will think that turning to faith in Jesus Christ is as simple as "say a prayer and you're in". The reality is that unless the Holy Spirit is involved in the process, the best someone can hope to achieve is a temporary sense of taking a healthy spiritual step but without any lasting outcome or eternal life change.
Consider how the Holy Spirit was involved with the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ:
* The Holy Spirit was the Anointing at Jesus's baptism (Mark 1:9-11),
* The Holy Spirit was the Guide and Protector during Jesus's wilderness temptation by Satan (Mark 1:12-13), and
* The Holy Spirit was speaking through the Gospel proclamation of Jesus when He preached the Truth that God's Kingdom had come (Mark 1:14-15).
To "repent and believe" this Gospel Truth requires the Holy Spirit to bring the anointing upon one's heart and mind, to guide and protect in the process of turning from sin and accepting Jesus Christ by faith, and to reveal the Truth of God's love and grace through the Word of God proclaimed. In other words, without the Holy Spirit, the Good News will fall on infertile soil, to closed ears and hearts, and will not accomplish God's purposes for which He has sent it out.
Praying for the fresh wind and fire of God's Holy Spirit to blow upon the sail of your life and fill you with holy vigor in faithful response and joyful obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
~ Pastor Sean and Tess