Evidence of Grace

  Ex 37-38; Psalms 19; Acts 11

“’As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us…who was I to think that I could oppose God?’...When they heart this, they had no further objections…When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them…”

Acts 11:15-18, 23

Salvation and the infilling of the Holy Spirit are evidenced by the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. This is so that observers can testify that what they see in our lives is evidence of the grace of God. Peter’s testimony about the salvation story of Cornelius’ household hinged on the outward evidence that they had received the Holy Spirit. Barnabus’ investigative trip to Antioch to follow up reports of Gentile believers also hinged on the evidence of the grace of God in their lives. Without this evidence of transformation, we must question whether salvation and the infilling of the Holy Spirit has occurred. Jesus invites us to inspect fruit, not judge hearts.

“Lord Jesus, transform me from within through your Holy Spirit, for your glory.”