Acts 1:7-8 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Verse 8 gets quoted a great deal, particularly in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles, but verse 7 seems very appropriate at this time in particular. Many Christians are feeling that Christ’s return is imminent, and the Internet has had a number of very specific predictions. Any time one of those appears, my wife and I say, “Well, we know it won’t be then!” I too feel we are already somewhere in the timeline expressed in Revelation, but getting caught up in the when distracts us from what we are to be doing now, which is expressed in verse 8. Many people get hyped up over the idea of receiving power, but they seem to overlook the purpose of that power: to be witnesses for Christ. If we aren’t living our lives so that those who see and hear us will be drawn to Christ and know Him as their own Lord, then we have missed the boat. God’s gifts, specifically including the Holy Spirit, aren’t just to bless us, though they do, but to demonstrate Him to the world around us. We need to periodically examine ourselves to see how we are demonstrating the character of Christ to those around us. The New Testament is absolutely filled with passages that tell us to do this. Just recently I’ve quoted Colossians 3:17. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” That is what it means to be a witness. Direct evangelism is good, but it isn’t always the most appropriate thing at a given moment. Living our lives as representatives of Christ is always appropriate!

And of course, I’m preaching to myself here. When I flash with irritation or anger, I’m not being a witness of Christ. When I indulge my flesh, ignoring God, I’m not being a witness of Christ. When I cut people down, asserting my “superiority,” I’m not being a witness of Christ. Since I’m 76 at this point, whenever Christ returns, I’ll stand before Him in less than 25 years in any case, and however long I have, I’m to spend the time being His witness. I can’t do it accurately on my own, but that’s why He’s given me His Spirit, just as He says here. I’m to trust Him in that and rejoice to live out each day as He directs, so that His will may be done on His schedule for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me follow through today, and every day, so that as many as possible may be drawn to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!