Gift From God

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

GIFT FROM GOD

Acts 8:18-24

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." 24 Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."

NIV

How interesting that a man who performs magic, who is an illusionist, a sorcerer, when he saw real power, he wanted to buy it, as if it were something to be obtained through human effort. We do not know if what magic Simon did was powered by Satan, or whether it was a learned skill, as illusionists today employ. The point is that Simon believed the power that Peter, and John had was similar to his, just only greater and more powerful. Although, we do not know if Simon’s magic could have an effect on other people like he saw happen when Peter and John laid hands on people. Peter made sure that Simon knew whatever power they displayed by laying hands on people with the result of those people receiving the Holy Spirit, that the Spirit is a gift from God. Although it is not stated by Luke, because Simon saw evidence within those people who received the Holy Spirit which prompted him to want that kind of power. We find this proves there is something that happens within a person when they receive the Holy Spirit which produces evidence. Because we have received the Holy Spirit, and again, that is a key, we must receive Him, we ought to have evidence within us, evidence that is visible to others, just like Simon saw in those people who received the Holy Spirit. It is true, just like any gift, we must reach out and receive it, take hold of it, thank the giver, and then we must open it, use it if it is a useable item, or wear it if it is clothes. This applies to the Holy Spirit. We must reach out and take hold of Him. He does not just come automatically when we accept Jesus, who we also must accept as a gift of God. So, then we must accept, and receive the Spirit as He is offered to us as a gift from God. Then when the Spirit comes, he brings all His gifts and fruit with him to manifest the evidence of His being within us. We cannot manufacture any of this evidence, or power, as Simon believed he could. We cannot fake it, for that is the same kind of wickedness Peter accused Simon of doing or thinking he could buy the power of the Spirit, using God for his own purposes, to make himself more powerful. This gives us the truth about everything we receive from God must be testified that God is the giver, and we are the receiver. We can do nothing apart from Jesus. If we think we can, we deceive ourselves, as Simon was, and the truth is not in us. Let us always look to the Spirit who dwells within for all guidance into the truth. Let us always look to the Spirit for His manifesting whatever evidence He desires in and through us so that God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit receive all the praise and glory in and for our lives. Let us always be thankful for this gift from God.