Romans 1.1-4

v 1-2

Recognise 

There are three things that are part of the Good News of Easter. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrate Jesus Christ as:

• Victorious over Sin - the cloud has been pierced and men and women can know God personally

• Vindicated as Saviour - having led a style of life that God has for all of us as human beings, Jesus Christ is rewarded. A life that is fit for eternity.

• Vanquisher of Satan - the power of evil does not have the last word. Jesus is not destroyerd. God gets His way and raises Jesus from the dead.

These are three truths that the Holy Spirit will show people when He convicts them (John 16.8-11). We need to recognise these with repentance, baptism and thankfulness. This is the beginning of the Christian life. And then there is more:

v 3-4

Receive

What Jesus Christ does in his life on earth, he does as a human being empowered by the Spirit of God. It is this empowering, where the Spirit who brings holiness, who is also the Spirit who enables with power is seen, demonstrating Jesus to be the Son of God.

When God calls us into faith by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, He wants us to go on and desire and welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives. The great Pentecostal renewal of the 20th Century discovered there are 5 stages to the Holy Spirit’s renewing power. These bring us to know Jesus Christ as

• Saviour

• Healer

• Sanctifier

• Baptiser in Power

• Coming King

Many Christians have been touched with the healing power of God's peace. We need to go on, after conversion, to long for the Holy Spirit to work into us His holiness and also to endow us with his power for imparting and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. The two don't necessarily come together! They comes through our seeking and asking God to enable us (Luke 11.13).

Get back to prayer. Improve your openness and reception to the Holy Spirit. Then you'll be in better communication with God.

Getting into life

who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord

(Romans 1.4)

I love Spring! Isn't the pink cherry blossom along the street magnificent? Edinburgh at its best. Life is blossoming and hope is rising. Easter.

A decision to be made.
An experience to enter into.
Obedience to get on with.

Is there more to be said, about getting into life with Jesus?