Once Is Enough

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

A stumble and a fumble in our Christian walk and we think that this gift will be removed from us. Peter spoke the words of definite strength "you shall" without adding exceptions. Peter went on to say, "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (v 39) I believe that the Lord called everyone, but many will not hear and heed that call. This does give us hope that our children, who number themselves for a time among the afar off, will hear that call and return to Jesus. We can testify to this because many of us did that very thing.

From the prodigal pigpen, we heard once more the call of the Lord our God, and we turned to head on home. Guilt and shame arose in us; we looked at visions of rejection and utter humiliation, but the feet turned to the call of God and we walked on back to the place where Jesus lives in our heart. When we got there, Jesus did not heap on the shame, but welcomed us to a feast. From time to time, we may simulate this journey in small ways when a fall into sin takes us out of the house of God for a bit. Once is enough for the prodigal journey, because Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Paul was convinced, and we must be as well.

And now, since you and I have repented and been baptized in the name of Christ, we shall and we did receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once is enough, put aside doubts, and thank God for our precious gift.

In the name of Christ Jesus,
Bucky