Remember getting a gift so precious, so special, that you kept playing the unwrapping of your gift over and over in your mind. The unexpected surprise followed by the joy of receiving something you had longed for for weeks, months, maybe even for years. Now you have your gift and you begin to take it out of its package. You play with it, work with it; basically, you use it for what it was designed for.
Let’s say you didn’t take it out of the packaging, but left it in its wrapper. A year or two has passed, and your gift-giver has decided to pay a special visit; carrying another gift. He sees the unwrapped present from past times, and develops a disappointed look upon his face. When you ask him why he is so disheartened, his reply is such, “I was hoping you would have used your gift and become accustomed to the way it works. I have brought you another gift today; unfortunately, in order to use it properly, you need to know how to use the first gift correctly. I guess I can bring it back another time, once you have learned and understood the first gift. WOW! You just missed out on something that could have been incredible. Another gift that used the first gift and actually expanded upon its use.
This scenario is very similar to the gift of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. This incredible gift has been given to us by God. The first time you experience it, you are completely overwhelmed and blown away—you have just been given a glimpse into The Throne Room. The next question is simple, but extremely noteworthy—“What do you plan to do with your gift?” Are you going to savor the first time you received it and remember the experience only? Or are you going to use your gift daily, study it, and learn how it works? Ultimately, developing your gift as best as possible, so that God is glorified and further blessings handed down by Him flow seamlessly together.
If you have decided to use your gift, then you will please the heart of God. Early development of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit involves daily praying in your prayer language (speaking in tongues) by submission to the Holy Spirit, and studying about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Bible (Acts chp. 2; I Corinthians chps. 12 and 14). It also involves giving your gift back to God for Him to use through you. It is your gift, but it is His Holy Spirit. If we allow ourselves to be used by God for His divine will, in regards to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4-11), there is nothing that we cannot accomplish for God. So, take your gift, rip the packaging open, and start using it. After all, it is what God wants.
However, to receive this gift there is one necessary prerequisite—you must be saved. You must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died and rose from the grave. If you believe this, refer to the section on the right-hand side of the blog entitled “A Life-Changing Prayer”. Once you have given your heart over to Jesus Christ, you are free to ask God for the Baptist in the Holy Spirit. In order to receive the Holy Spirit Baptism, you must let God have control of you. Use your gift wisely, and use it for the Kingdom of God.
