“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” ~ Acts 10:38 NKJV
I love this story. Shortly after the end of World War II, a general and his aide, a young lieutenant, were traveling from one military base to another conducting routine inspections. During one of their trips on a passenger train, they shared a compartment with an attractive young lady and her grandmother. For most of the trip their conversation was friendly and cheerful. The lieutenant was especially delighted to be in the company of such a charming young lady.
All of a sudden, the train enters a long, dark tunnel and the passengers in this particular car hear two distinct sounds – the first was the smack of a kiss; the second was the sound of a hard slap. Now, in spite of the fact that all four people are riding in the same compartment of the train, each one draws a different conclusion as to what happened.
The young lady was glad the lieutenant got up the courage to kiss her, but she was disappointed at her grandmother for slapping him for doing so. The general was proud of his enterprising lieutenant for seizing the opportunity to kiss the pretty lady, but was baffled that she slapped him instead of the lieutenant. The grandmother was shocked to think that the lieutenant would have the gall to kiss her granddaughter, but was proud her grandchild slapped him for doing it. And the lieutenant was trying to hold back the laughter because he found the perfect opportunity to kiss an attractive lady and slap his superior officer at the same time!
Perfect opportunities don’t come around every day. And when they do, we should be ready to seize the moment, especially if it’s an opportunity to do good in the name of the Lord. Remember what the apostle Paul said to the believers in Philippi? “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity” (Phil.4:10).
Paul knew the believers cared about him but they didn’t have the opportunity to demonstrate their care, they lacked opportunity. Some Bible teachers say nearly ten years passed since the saints in Philippi first blessed Paul with a material gift to meet his needs when he was in Thessalonica (see verses 15-16). The takeaway is we don’t always have the opportunity to accomplish the good things we desire to do. An opportunity to do good is precious and rare. So, what does it take to seize the opportunity when it comes around?
Understanding the ministry of the Holy Spirit is key. Jesus Christ went about doing good…for God, via the Holy Spirit, was with Him. The Bible teaches us it’s possible to grieve the Holy Spirit of God through careless sinning (Eph.4:30), we can quench the Spirit by restraining His ministry (1 Thess.5:19), we can resist the Holy Spirit by refusing to obey His directives (Acts 7:51), and it’s possible to insult the Spirit by downplaying the atoning work of the blood of Christ (Heb.10:29).
Sadly, any one of us is capable of responding to the Holy Spirit in this negative manner. However, the same Bible that reveals the possible sins against the Spirit also commands us to walk in the Spirit (Gal.5:16,25), and be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18)! We have reason to rejoice because if God commands us to do something, we can be confident He'll also empower us to do it. Didn’t our Lord say, “without Me you can do nothing” (Jn.15:5)? I contend whatever God demands of you, His grace supplies to you. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil.2:13)!
Should we follow in the footsteps of Jesus who went about doing good? Are you willing and able to proclaim the good news to a God-thirsty soul? Are you prepared to share a material blessing with another believer? Will your next opportunity be missed or taken? In the name of the Most High God, I exhort you to seize the moment. I encourage you, in the mighty name of Jesus, to walk in the Spirit and be filled with the Spirit today!
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” ~ Galatians 6:10
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed,
Brother Quick
Learn more about what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit in chapter 10 of my book, The Spiritual Awakening of America. Click here for details.