Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.  For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.   Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.  And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.   (Acts 8:14-25) 

Here in these scripture passages is a perfect example of one who though he believed” on Jesus, and was thus baptized in His Name, there was not present in him an INWARD CHANGE.   

Simon was a man who once practiced sorcery until the preaching of Philip to the people of Samaria.  He was a man who sought the praise of man, and desired greatness among the people.  Scripture tells us that before the preaching of Philip, all the people gave heed to Simon declaring him to have the “great power of God” because he astonished all through his trickery and sorcery.  But then the apostle Philip came and preached Jesus Christ to the people of Samaria, and not only did they believe and were baptized in His Name, but Simon himself believed and was baptized.  However, despite his confession of faith in Christ and baptism in His Name, Simon still carried that same foolish mentality and worthless desires which he had prior to hearing the Word.  There was no inward change in him as he still hungered for the same things he did when he served the devil through his sorcery.  After he was baptized, the bible says he continued with Philip and became amazed when he saw all the miracles and signs which were done through Philip by the power of The Holy Spirit.  And when Peter and John had come down to the people of Samaria and laid hands on them that they may receive The Holy Spirit, Simon, rather than seeking also to receive the GIFT of The Holy Spirit, sought instead to purchase the POWER of The Holy Spirit that he may keep his “worldly self-professed title” of being someone great in the eyes of the people.  He had lost this “title” among the people after they heard of the GREATNESS of Jesus Christ our Lord; however his mind was still focused on desiring to be someone great, to be admired and praised among the people, to be known as he was once known by them.  He harbored in his heart bitterness and jealousy towards the apostles because the people of Samaria’s focus was no longer on Simon and his “bag of tricks”, but their eyes and hearts were now set upon the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ.   

Simon is a representation of so many “professing” believers today.  So many have “confessed” their faith and belief in Christ, many have also been baptized, and yet STILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.  If they are still living the lives once known before Christ, what set’s them apart from the man of this world?  What makes them differ from an unbeliever?  Who can differentiate the two if both behave the same?   

Two things Simon lacked upon his “belief” in Christ and baptism in His Name.  The first is though he “believed” the words spoken by Philip concerning Jesus he did NOT REPENT of his sins.  He only confessed his faith and was baptized and then followed after Philip and the others looking for rewards and blessings.  This is typical of many today.  They hear the word and believe, but remain unrepentant in their hearts and yet still seek the Lord for rewards and blessings.  It baffles me how many always expect to receive something, but yet REFUSE to give anything.  When Simon was openly rebuked by Peter he did not confess his sins and REPENT as instructed by Peter, instead he said to Peter: “Pray ye to the Lord FOR me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.”   The words given to Simon by Peter were not that HE himself would pray for Simon, but his first word of instruction to Simon was REPENT…. “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, IF perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”  Upon hearing this from Peter, Simon should have fell on his face before the Lord seeing as the sins of his heart were exposed as nothing is hidden from the Lord, and cried out in sorrow and repentance for his wickedness, but he confessed NOT and thus begged Peter to pray for him instead. 

The second thing Simon lacked was The Holy Spirit.  His lack of the presence of the Holy Spirit was his own fault for while Peter and John were laying hands on the people of Samaria and they were receiving The Holy Spirit, Simon himself should have been standing in line for the same.  Instead, he was more in awe over how the people received this Gift and assumed the power lied within the Apostles hands. He certainly could never have produced such through his wicked practice of sorcery, this was greater than anything he could have accomplished through his “bag of tricks”, thus his focus was not on receiving the gift, but purchasing the POWER of The Holy Spirit.   His desire for fame and recognition, for power and prestige lost him the opportunity at that moment to receive as a GIFT, The Holy Spirit of The Lord God.   

What creates an “INWARD CHANGE” in an individual’s heart and life once they believe on The Lord Jesus is their willingness to REPENT of ALL SIN and allow then the Holy Spirit to begin an awesome work of transformation within.  Living our lives as we did before the knowledge of Christ doesn’t signify a “new creature in Christ”, nor an “inward change”, It only signifies that such is no different from one who never knew Christ as Lord.  One may confess faith in Jesus and accept him as Lord of their lives but where then is the evidence of change if their lives are no different from one who does not believe.  Again, who can differentiate the two if both behave the same?  Will your speech alone suffice?  Would they (the world) not call you a hypocrite for out of your mouth you speak one thing, yet your life speaks differently?  According to scripture the believer is the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world”, but how can one guide another if he himself is still stumbling around in the darkness?   So, it’s not just by your speech that the world would know you are His, the word of God says: “Let your light so shine BEFORE men, that they may SEE (not hear) your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”   We are to be a reflection of the Lord, yet how can one do so and remain in WILLFUL sin?  Therefore, it is the believers RESPONSIBILITY to REPENT!  Repentance is an absolute MUST to begin that inward change for In order for there to be inward change what once existed inwardly must become null and void. To put it bluntly, DEAD!  Those who are in Christ Jesus MUST be dead to sin, and ALIVE in Him.  We must repent of our sins, and give ourselves over to the Lord allowing the Holy Spirit to create the change in us.  Our part is to REPENT and SURRENDER, The Holy Spirit will do the rest.  However, he’s not going to work against  the will of someone who wish to remain as they once were!  The inward change will not be forced upon the professing believer, he/she must welcome the change.  If a believer is truly serious about his/her relationship with the Lord Jesus, he/she would reject the sins they once knew, and open themselves up for change. 

If any man/woman teach there is no importance to repentance, and that one may live as they choose and all would be well with the Lord, such is a lying, false teacher who himself is bound and have no love for The Lord’s sheep.  Their lack of love in refusing to declare the truth, keeps the Lords lambs bound in iniquity of which they shall be held accountable for even one that would be led astray.  For there are many that have turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness of which such will not go unpunished.   

Brothers and sisters, what the Lord asks of us is not impossible for the work of the Holy Spirit in us.  We can’t do it but HE CAN.  And knowing that we can do nothing of ourselves, God in his mercy has given us His Spirit to comfort us, lead, guide, strengthen and TEACH us the things of God.  By His Spirit he reveals to the heart of the true believer ALL truth.  For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 

The step that is required for us to take is to REPENT, and repentance is truly not difficult for the one who GENUINELY loves The Lord for when you love someone, you choose not to hurt him and seek to do those things that are pleasing to Him, and not yourself.  Consider your own husbands, wives, relatives and friends, if you knew that your deeds would hurt them would you do it anyway, having no concern for his/her feelings?  Of course you wouldn’t.  Then, why would you choose to continue in the deeds you know would hurt the one that gave HIS LIFE that you may live?  I would think ALL THE MORE He deserves consideration…Wouldn’t you think so to?

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God