The Holy Spirit is anything but a silent guest. When He is present, things are different. It was the Holy Spirit that convicted the hearts of about three thousand people when Peter preached his first sermon at Pentecost. Those whose hearts were changed devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and joining in their fellowship. When the Holy Spirit changes a life, the person becomes different. Quite honestly, I'm kind of tired of hearing churches share about the vast numbers of people they get to pray a prayer on a given date. What I'm far more interested in is hearing about how many lives are changed. Praying a prayer doesn't make a person a follower of Jesus Christ – that can only be accomplished through a decision of the heart and the subsequent indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That's why Acts 2:37 says that the people were cut to the heart when they heard Jesus' message. It was a heart issue, and it still is. The changed life is an indication of that a deeper heart change has taken place and that our friend, the Holy Spirit, has moved in to take residency.
About Seth
Seth is a pastor, author, and speaker who lives in Batesville, Indiana. He is married to Kari, and they have two daughters, Madelyn and Noelle.
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