GWEA Monthly Messages
"IF ARRESTED, WOULD I BE A CONVICTED CHRISTIAN?"
"IF ARRESTED, WOULD I BE A CONVICTED CHRISTIAN?"
REVEREND GORDON WILLIAMS, JANUARY 2015
Happy New Year 2015! This is a time to look forward to all the "signs, wonders and miracles” that Jesus wants us to demonstrate as proof that we have been made into "new creations”. He wrote, "Therefore if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17). This is what happens upon receiving salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mk.16:17-18). Regardless of how we feel or think, we are all sent out into the world guided by the Holy Spirit to be "witnesses” to others (Acts 1:8).The Holy Spirit gives us "power” to tell others what Jesus has done in our lives. This is called our "testimony” (Rev. 12:11).
When Paul and Silas were arrested in Thessalonica for "proclaiming Christ”, the charge made against them was, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.....saying that there is another king, Jesus” (Acts 17: 6-7). We are sent into the world as "new creations” to do exactly the same thing. It is our purpose to proclaim Christ when we witness and when we do, we turn the world upside down, or should I say right upside up! We turn our world upside right when we do the works of Jesus. Our natural world is upside down as a result of sin. When we pray with others for salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, healing, deliverance, etc., they are no longer victims to sin, and their world becomes right side up. With the Holy Spirit as our heavenly Counselor, no matter who questions us, at that very moment, He gives us the right words to say (Mk 13:11).
We are all equipped to do ministry when we are born-again and Baptized with the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:15-19). Our persistence must be the same as Paul’s, who said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become as I am - except with these chains.” (Acts 26:29) Paul encourages us all to do ministry!
It doesn't matter how important or unimportant a person may seem. Every man, woman and child needs to have Jesus as their Saviour, Lord and God. When Paul was arrested and brought to trial before King Agrippa (Acts 26:19-28), he seized the opportunity and witnessed to the king. Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time you think to make me a Christian!” (Acts 26:28) Paul knew very well there was no right time in his eyes to pray for salvation. ``I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.' (2 Cor. 6:2)
In 2015, we need to ask ourselves this one question: "If I was arrested for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict me?” Make 2015 a bumper crop harvest of new people into the Kingdom of God!