My wife and I lived in Great Britain for several years. We had to learn how to drive on the left side of the road, because there were rules. It didn't matter how much we wanted to drive on the right. We had to follow their rules.
So it is with God. We sin. God sent Jesus to die for our sin. Can God save us at that point? No, because there are rules. God really, really wants to save us, but he can't. He has done everything he can. He sent his son. It is our turn to move.
Our first move is to repent, and then God will move by forgiving us and giving us new life. Our next move is to get baptized, and God will set us free from our sin. As soon as someone lays hands on us or prays, God will send the Holy Spirit, and we will be equipped to live a holy life and see God work through us. God is not the problem. He has already paid the price. We are the problem. It is our turn to move.
The early disciples of Jesus had it right, because they walked around with him for three years, saw his death and resurrection, and then spent time with him over a period of forty days before he ascended to be with the Father. Ten days later, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, and began to do the things Jesus did. Some of what they did is recorded in the Book of Acts, and their clearest message is stated by Peter in Acts 2:
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”Since then, many counterfeit messages have appeared, and many, many people have perished because they did not hear or believe the truth. That was not God's fault. It was the fault of wicked people, and spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Those factors are still here today, and are deceiving many.
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (Acts 2:38-41 NKJV)
If we truly want to know God, he is waiting for us to approach him and do what he tells us to do. We must repent toward the Father, believe in Jesus and follow his example, and receive and listen to the Holy Spirit. We may also need deliverance and renewal of our minds. These things are all necessary, if we want to be effective in this dark and corrupt world.
So, our first move is to repent. What does that look like? I think what Liz does in the following video is a very good example of repentance. (For a good Biblical example, look at Zacchaeus in Luke 19.) Liz leaves her former practices behind and follows Jesus. The power of the Holy Spirit is very evident in this video, and it is what we should be experiencing every day as disciples of Jesus Christ. Please watch and enjoy it. It lasts a bit longer than thirty minutes.
As disciples of Jesus, we will do what he did...
He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”If we are not doing these things, we may not really believe. I wasn't doing them, and it frightened me. I found out I did not really know how to play the game, so I took action. Beloved, please consider these things, and like Liz, ask God to lead you to do what he wants you to do.
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:15-20 NIV)
If you would like to read about my story, please start with my first post, "Well, You're Wrong, And I'm Going To Tell You Why." It tells about how God helped me understand some things I did not know, and set me on course to be equipped to do the things He wants me to do. I encourage you to read subsequent posts, too. Most importantly, please join me in thanking Jesus for what he has done for all of us who believe!
All glory to God!