Changed by the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2.

We all know people who were crippled with worry and fear, and then they began to rest in God and trust him.  Mental peace.

We all know people who lived totally for themselves, and then they thought of others before themselves.  What could account for that?

We all know people who scoffed at God and his ways, and then they acted on the little faith they had, and it changed them--first in small ways, and then much bigger ways.  Changed by faith.

We all know people who were so filled with their own intellect that they knew better than everyone else, and then they became humbler, gentler.  What . . . how?

We all know (or have heard of) people who were trapped in the bondage of addiction, and then were set free.  Sweet release.

Often it is the power of the Holy Spirit that caused such transformation in the lives of our loved ones.   

Similarly, it was the Holy Spirit that transformed Peter from Peter-the-Denier to Peter-the-Powerful Preacher.  It was the coming of the Holy Spirit that changed the impulsive, compulsive Peter into an impassioned proclaimer of truth that influenced the hearers so dramatically they repented of sin in the name of Jesus Christ, and were filled with the Holy Spirit themselves!

Here’s the question . . . how does being filled with the Holy Spirit change a person?

When filled with the Holy Spirit, 

-we want to honor God with our lives; we think about our actions, our words

-we desire to know what it says in his Word

-we want to know God more deeply; the superficial does not cut it

When filled with the Holy Spirit,

-there is a boldness to speak of God’s goodness and the saving news of the  

  gospel to others, and the fact is, we care about where others stand with God

-priorities change.  It is much easier to let old ways go, and develop new ones, including giving of ourselves to others.

-faithfulness increases, as does being filled with faith

-there is evidence/fruit; often there is a change in our character

When filled with the Holy Spirit,

-there is thought about Heaven and the eternal, not just today

-there is power!  Paul said, ‘the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us.’1  [stop and think about that for a minute]

When filled with the Holy Spirit,

-there is no room for guilt

-there is a desire to worship God in whatever way we know how

So Peter preaches, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”2  And three thousand did.

At the time of spiritual conversion, that is ‘from without Christ to Christ’, we are individually given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Next question—is that a once and for all thing?  Yes, well sort of.  While we are never without the Holy Spirit, (the presence of God), we need to be filled anew and again.  Paul said we are to ‘keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit’.3  I make it a regular practice to repent of my sin, ask forgiveness and to be refilled with the Holy Spirit.  (some teachers call it a fresh filling or a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit—same thing)

But I got to tell you, even though you can know the Lord and certainly be a Christian, unless you’re filled with the Holy Spirit, you are lacking the power you are meant to have for growth and transformation.  Ask him to refill you today, Christian!

1 - Romans 8.11

2 – Acts 2.38

3– Ephesians 5.18