Drenched by the Spirit

<p>Author Scot McKnight shares how when he was in high school, he had what he calls a &ldquo;Spirit-drenched experience.&rdquo; While at a camp, the speaker challenged him to enthrone Christ in his life by surrendering to the Spirit. Later, he sat under a tree and prayed, &ldquo;Father, forgive me of my sins. And Holy Spirit, come inside and fill me.&rdquo; Something mighty happened, he said. &ldquo;From that moment my life has been completely different. Not perfect, but different.&rdquo; He suddenly had the desire to read the Bible, pray, meet with other believers in Jesus, and serve God.</p> <p>Before the risen Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His friends: &ldquo;Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised&rdquo; (Acts 1:4). They would &ldquo;receive power&rdquo; to become His &ldquo;witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth&rdquo; (v. 8). God gives the Holy Spirit to indwell everyone who believes in Jesus. This first happened at Pentecost (see Acts 2); today it occurs whenever someone trusts in Christ.</p> <p>God&rsquo;s Spirit also continues to fill those who believe in Jesus throughout our lives. We too, with the help of the Spirit, bear the fruit of changed character and desires (Galatians 5:22&ndash;23). Let&rsquo;s praise and thank God for comforting us, convicting us, partnering with us, and loving us.</p>