Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Why Follow Jesus?

“He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3v11

These are the words of John the Baptist as he points to Jesus who is about to appear on the scene.

Many have the feeling that following Jesus is about a restrictive set of rules and trying harder to be good.

This is not what Jesus is about at all. Yes, God wants us to “produce good fruit” in our lives (3v8-10). And yes, there is a judgement coming (3v12). But Jesus brings the good news that he changes us from within. A core message of Jesus is that it is the heart that counts, but the heart then flows into outer actions (see for example Matthew 7v17, 12v34, 15v19). This heart change is brought by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And so John the Baptist gives the extremely good news, “He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit enables you in both character and in spiritual gifts.

Have you been baptised with the Holy Spirit? Do you know the filling of the Holy Spirit today? Do you know the Holy Spirit changing you into the character God wants you to have? This empowering is an excellent reason to follow the way of Jesus! Come to Jesus today and ask him to empower you by His Spirit.

With love and blessing,

Roland