Saved, But Not Delivered Part 2

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ ” Acts 8:18-19 (ESV)

Last week, we looked at Simon the Magician or Simon the Sorcerer, and this week, we will continue with Part Two. While we may be quick to persecute Simon, many believers are similar to Simon. We are saved, but some parts of our lives need deliverance. All Simon knew was magic or sorcery, and seeing what the Apostles did amazed him. He obviously didn’t think it was strange to offer them money for this great power being demonstrated when they laid hands. Simon just wanted to be famous, he went through life amazing the crowds with his sorcery and he wanted to continue to do the same. Simon made it about him, and not about the power of God through the Holy Spirit being demonstrated. ‘Give ME this power…on whom I lay MY hands.’ What Simon wanted was what he was already familiar with. Fanfare, wanting to be seen and celebrated. He knew what it was to be the center of attention and for others to acknowledge the power he had and to call him ‘great.’

Power can cause us to become prideful, and can cause us to think that the gift that God has given to us is for us, about us, and by us. In the church culture today, some persons are being celebrated and have become idols because of power and what’s even worse is that they revel in it. We forget about the Source and our focus is on the power and we see how the gift of the Spirit is being abused. It has become about how many persons we laid hands on, or the number of persons we brought to Christ, we focus on the numbers and not the work of the Holy Spirit. We pat ourselves on the back and don’t give God glory. It’s so easy to become power-hungry, and always have the desire to be the center of attention. It’s so dangerous to remain saved but not delivered. There are many parts of my life that I am still surrendering to God, and it takes honesty, transparency, and humility to say to the Lord, ‘Jesus take this part of me and wash it clean, I see this about me, and I know it displeases You.’

When we live a life to please God, it’s easier to surrender our ways, pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, lust, covetousness, malice, envy, jealousy, comparison, and self-righteousness. When we come before the Lord and we realize how much we need His mercy and grace, His love and compassion, when we realize just how we are nothing without Him, and apart from Him we can do nothing, it’s easier to surrender our secret sins, and our besetting sins. When we realize that it’s His power and gift in us and that it’s not about us being in the spotlight and exalting ourselves, it’s easier for deliverance to happen. We’re saved and not delivered because we don’t want to be and we don’t think we need to be. We seriously think we’re okay, and it’s one of the biggest lies a believer can believe. When we live our lives as believers with no conviction of our sins, of no wrongs in our lives, because we are always right, it’s hard to admit to God, that you need help, Him, and deliverance.

Daughters of Fire, there were times in my life when the Spirit of the Lord would show me something about myself, and I would become offended and say ‘Truly not me Lord’ but if we really believe that He who created us, knows and loves us better than we could ever know ourselves, then we would know He only wants what’s best for us. Daughters of Fire, I want us to be encouraged today, knowing that Jesus loves us more than anyone else ever can. When we hear “repent of this wickedness of yours” like Peter told Simon the Sorcerer, don’t try to justify it. Just repent because God wants us to live our lives pleasing to Him. Just repent and release the unforgiveness in our hearts to the One who has forgiven us more times than we can imagine. Repent so that deliverance can take place, so that our Father may be pleased with our walk. Daughters of Fire, I know it may be hard, but I also know that the more we repent of our ways, the more we grow and become like Him. Simon asked for prayer after Peter confronted him, and after that, nothing else was said about Simon. The conversation between your heart and God’s heart is private. Just you and your Heavenly Father, and the only way others know is when the Fruit of the Spirit is evident in your life. Daughters of Fire, the refining isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Let us continue to grow in our walk together. I love you, but Jesus loves you more!