hi folks,
Can I share a little of my side of this thing called "spirit" ? Actually it is not an "it" but part of the Godhead Three. Jesus promised a "Comforter" when He left, so making a long story short, I believe in the Holy Spirit as "indwelling".
I believe I received the Holy Spirit when I accepted Jesus the Christ as my Savior, and I was baptized in the name of the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit and received the "gift" of the Spirit.
Having said that, then what I have to go on is what I see and hear and what is a part of my life. Of course first and foremost as a Christian, if I do not have love, then I am deluding only myself. I may fool others but without true love for my neighbor I cannot be pleasing to my God. You all know the scriptures that bear that out.But here is another about love . (Romans 12:9)Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. By its self this could mean many things, but look around it. Go read ALL of Romans 12. Better yet, here it is.
(Rom 12:1-21 NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
What a chapter of "living water", huh.
If I use my "gifts",BTW I do not have all the gifts mentioned above in chap. 12, but if I use my gifts, I will not have to "advertise" my love for Christ. It will show itself. I have seen many who have NEVER been "slain in the spirit" so to speak, that live out their lives quietly living with the Spirit, who by their "fruit" show themselves to be followers of Christ. Does that make sense? VERY much so IMO.
Therefore, to make a long story even longer, my thoughts are that the "fruit" of a man or woman is not seen in one who "speaks in tongues", or falls down, or runs around touching people to fall down,or hovers over prayer cloth, or tells you what you "got" to do, while yelling and screamin and sweatin profusely from the pulpit. No...
To me, the fruit is seen in the one who listened while I cryed......it is the one who brought over food she could not afford.......it is the one who sang at my grandmothers funeral........it is the one who first told me of God in my 3rd grade class.......it is the one who admonished me for being to hard on a brother.....it is the ones who lift holy hands to God in thanksgiving for my health. You see, it is many who make my life complete...I never could name them all.
But God can....He knows each and every one, and they will not lose their reward.
So, while I refuse to say that all the other is without merit, I do see what has changed my life......... so there you are for what it is worth.
God Bless
dan
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