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 | Blogs > Noah235 > PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH > HOLY SPIRIT POWER: part 3 |
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This is the third of my posts about the power of the Holy Spirit. The first two posts can be found at: HOLY SPIRIT POWER: Part 1 HOLY SPIRIT POWER: Part 2 This post deals with the two aspects of the Holy Spirit's ministry in our lives that are most often talked about: FRUIT and GIFTS 1. FRUIT; Power to become like Christ The new birth is not the end of problems, and in one sense it is the cause of a new problem that none of us had before. Our sinful nature is still there, so on becoming a Christian a battle between the 'old' and 'new' us begins which will not end until eternity. The Christian life is a continuous process of unlearning old bad habits and learning new good ones. We need the power of the Spirit to defeat the sinful nature and develop the new life within us. Our minds play a crucial role in this. We need to focus on what the Holy Spirit wants and allow him to lead us and control us. This may sound like a lot of effort on our part but it is simply a decision to co-operate in what he is doing within us and not to resist. Of course it requires an enormous amount of trust to allow anyone this degree of control over our lives. That is why the development of a loving and trusting relationship with Jesus came first. Jesus told us that: 'I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing' (John 15 v 5). This reinforces the idea that all we need do, in a sense, is rest in him and let him do the job. The 'fruit' we are to bear is a Christ-like character which is described in detail in Galatians 5 v 22: 'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control'. Just as actual fruit contains seeds from which new trees can be grown, so these qualities have the potential to cause new life to spring up in the lives of others. Being a Christian on a world mission is no different to any other job. It is always more important to have the right character than it is to have the right skills. 2. GIFTS: Power to build up the Body of Christ Power tools have revolutionised the building trade. It is possible, for example, to dig the foundations of a building using a team of men with spades, but easier to use a mechanical digger. Cutting the wood to make the floorboards is also easier if we switch the power saw on! I have no idea how bricks would be made without a high temperature kiln, and I have never yet seen a building site where men mix cement by hand in preference to using a mechanical cement mixer. Of course human labour is still needed, both skilled (e.g. bricklayers) and unskilled (hod carriers) but the process is much quicker, and less burdensome on those involved, if all possible machinery is used. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the 'power tools' that God has made available for use in building the church. There are nine gifts which are 'given for the common good' (1 Corinthians 12v7). We are told to 'eagerly desire spiritual gifts' (1 Corinthians 14v1) but need to recognise that the Holy Spirit 'gives them to each one, just as he determines' (1 Corinthians 12v11). Astonishingly there are some Christians who believe that the gifts were applicable only to the Apostolic Age (i.e. the time of the early church of Peter and Paul) and are no longer to be used today. The justification for this view is that Paul himself, speaking about the gifts, declared 'when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears' (1 Corinthians 13 v 10). But when does perfection come? Paul answers this just two verses later when he explains it is when 'we shall see face to face' (1 Corinthians 13 v 12). In other words not until we meet God in heaven or Jesus returns in person! It is obvious from the present state of the church that the gifts are still needed, and it is equally obvious from the Bible that they are still available (thank God!) I believe that Satan has succeeded in tempting many Christians to use the gifts selfishly rather than for the common good. This has led in some cases to pride on the part of the one exercising their gift, as if they have in some way earned it on merit. It has also led to some of those who have not received a particular gift feeling resentful and envious and possibly even rejected by God. One is reminded of children squabbling on Christmas Day over the presents they have received (or not!) It is no coincidence that 1 Corinthians chapter 13, one of the most brilliant passages of the entire Bible, is sandwiched between chapters 12 (describing the gifts of the Spirit) and 14 (describing their harmonious and orderly use in worship). Chapter 13 is of course the great chapter on love that is often read out at weddings, but is more immediately relevant to a church situation. 'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres' (v4-7). The fact that Christians have at times not followed the way of love is regrettable but should not prevent us from seeking the gifts God would wish us to have. As has often been said, the answer to abuse is not non-use, but right use. Peter  "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2 v 15 |
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7/8/2008 7:10 pm |
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. . . Continue to be faithful, deliverance is near, obedience must be seen, be an unconditional blessing as He continues to bless you. This time is short, serve Him well, serving all. Without exception. Know? Yes? ? . Meow ? .
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 7/9/2008 2:47 pm |
Hiya Peter, I have read this (as you know)in ya book n it`s great.I love the way you write.I love it. GOD BLESS, Wendy   Show me the way Sweet JESUS.Lead and i Will follow. 
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