The transformed life of Paul was witness to his total surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit working in him. It was evidenced by the way God used him mightily. Confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that HE is our Saviour is not just the end to it….it’s all about our relationship with Him. In order to be an effective tool in the hand of the Master set aside for His purpose, to be identified and recognized as an ambassador of our Master on earth we must know: 1. Who we are   2. What baptism have we received  3. Are we baptized in the Holy Spirit?

Trying to step out into the world as a non-commissioned ambassador for the Lord is like stepping out into a war arena as an untrained and unequipped soldier. In our study for today we see that some Jews tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to stand against the operations and activities of evil spirits. These particular Jews were just itinerant exorcists who took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits. They had no relationship with our Lord and Master, but wanted to represent Him by quoting His authority in the presence of evil spirits. The seven sons of Sceva a Jewish chief priest, thought that God’s authority can be used as an errand boy. But the outcome speaks volumes of how they needed someone and something better in their lives. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (v.15). They were overpowered and battered by the evil spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ knows His own people and they carry the seal of his authority both in the face of the natural and supernatural. The expressions of Paul and the display and endorsement of the Lord’s authority in his life and service as the Lord’s Ambassador, makes even evil spirit know who Paul is. The power of the Holy Spirit at work in his life was seen by the unusual miracles done by the hand of Paul (Vs.11-12).

Knowing who we are in the Lord, being baptized in water and baptized in the Holy Spirit are all very important for our service and commission for the Lord’s mission in His Ambassadorial appointment upon the face of the earth. We are the Lord’s property, bought with a price, set aside for His purpose, we do not own ourselves. [ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,1 Chronicles 29:14]. Paul was fully aware of this when said: “For I am the least of all the apostles. I do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God’s church. But by God’s grace I am what I am, and the grace that he gave me was not without effect. On the contrary, I have worked harder than any of the other apostles, although it was not really my own doing, but God’s grace working with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10)

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Prayer: “Lord Jesus, may my life be submitted to Your authority so that You can use me effectively for Your Kingdom. Amen”