Every day is Pentecost

by Jacob Kwame Opata.

Today is historically the day that the blessed Holy Spirit descended upon the earth. This occurs fifty days after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus and 10 days after His ascension. This day is celebrated worldwide to mark the presence of the Lord in our midst. The descent of the Holy Spirit to the earth has implications for missions. And as we celebrate this historic moment, we need to remind ourselves of some of its implications for us.

First, the presence of the Spirit assures us that God is still with us. God has not left us. God has not abandoned the world. God is still actively working in this world through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Many deny this fact and assert that we are on our own. However, we judge and affirm the truthfulness of God’s word that the Holy Spirit is right here on earth. Therefore, we are assured of divine help in our times of trouble and pain.

Second, the presence of the Spirit assures us that the mission work of God is ongoing. God is still in the saving business. God is reaching out to people with an offer of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is here to ensure that people receive and respond to this message appropriately. Let us commit people we know are not saved unto the Lord and the Spirit of God will work on them to get them saved.

Third, the presence of the Spirit is a sign that the believer has not finished his or her work on earth. Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses on earth. Our lives must bear witness to the truth at all times. This is a call that can only be fulfilled through the enablement of God’s Spirit. And as long as the Holy Spirit is on the earth, we have all the power to be and do all that God has willed. We shall fulfil our portion of this work to the praise and glory of God’s Holy Name.

Fourth, the presence of the Holy Spirit decentralizes the work of God. Gone are the days when only a select few are enabled to do the work of God. Today, you need not be ordained to be effective in the ministry. This is because, God through the enablement of the Holy Spirit, empowered believers to be effective witnesses to the world. The intention is to reach out to places cassocks and gowns will not go. The purpose is to meet people everywhere on the surface of this earth and to share the Gospel with them. Hence in the market, social, political and every other space available, men and women filled with the Holy Spirit can reach out as effective witnesses and be a blessing to others. The implication is that whiles you wait for a cassock or gown, know that you are well equipped to be an effective witness to others. Use the tools that you have and be a blessing to the world.

Finally, we are assured that we can be and enjoy all that God has planned for us. The Holy Spirit works in the world, but most especially, works in the believer. The Spirit creates an atmosphere of peace amid the turmoil. God’s Spirit creates visions that enlighten the believer amid the darkness. God’s plans for us are good and not evil. Irrespective of what we are facing or going through, we must trust that through the enabling presence of the Spirit, we will make it. As the Spirit works in us and through us, we become effective partakers of God’s nature. We are enabled to bear lasting fruits. And this and many others, we will experience as long as the Spirit tarries on earth.

As we enjoy the period, we must never forget that until the Spirit ascends, every day is Pentecost.