Right now I feel that I need this spiritual heart transplant.
Thing is, I already had my surgery, I have already been baptized by the Spirit of God.
God is in me, with me, the Spirit of God is working to change me.
The problem is in me, in the fact that I am quenching the Spirit [1 Thessalonians 5:19].
By my giving in to distractions, only giving half my heart, allowing sinful attitudes to remain unchallenged, I am grieving the Holy Spirit [Ephesians 4:30].
Am I being overly hard on myself? – I don’t think so.
Paul talks about being filled with the Holy Spirit.
This is different from being baptized with the Spirit.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to all, it is the first reality for all who are born again (or born from above), the Spirit enters me and begins the process of transformation.
Having received that gift, we become partners with God, with Jesus, with the Spirit.
But we must give ourselves to the process too.
When Paul tells us to “be filled” with the Spirit [Ephesians 5:18], the language and context indicates an ongoing replenishment, or drinking in, of that which is already available to us.
Give yourself over to, drink in deeply from the Spirit that is within you.
So when I say that I feel like I need a spiritual heart transplant, its probably better to say I need a kick in the pants, maybe a heavenly jolt.
Paul reminds me that I need to contribute zeal and spiritual fervor [Romans 12:11].
He also tells me to fan into flame the gift of God that is in me [2 Timothy 1:6-7].
Practically speaking, what does this mean?
The Spirit within me is like fuel waiting to be ignited.
I’ve got to generate sparks, I’ve got to use my heart, my mind, and my strength to activate the fullness of God within me.
Talking to God, listening to Him in the bible, asking Him to jolt me, looking for Him in my day to day experiences, obeying His will, making the most of the opportunities He provides me every day, looking for the right thing to do or say, and doing it, saying it!
No more excuses, get out of the boat, just do it!
This is not self help, this is what the Spirit is prompting me to do.
And when I take these steps, watch out, He will do exceedingly more than all I ask or even imagine.
He will be the wind in my wings, the fire in my heart, and the power that works through me, impacting others.
So instead I say, thank You God for my new heart, thank You for Your Spirit in me.
Thank You for prompting my heart to seek You, to serve You with ALL my heart.
Help me today to give myself fully to You, to join with You in becoming the person You saved me to be.