Spirit Living

Spirit (notice the capital S) living expresses the vast dimensions available to those desiring the full expression of God's presence in the individual's life. It does not provide a comparative matrix between various individuals but it does relate to the difference in one's own life and ministry. To navigate the journey of life and ministry, I for one, need all of God's grace and empowerment that is available to me. If I compare my effectiveness with someone else, as either better of worse, more or less effective, with greater or lesser success, I have missed the point of what God can do in and through me and have revealed my lack of spiritual maturity. Spirit living is not about pastoring a big or little church. It is about fully being all God wants me to be. As we prepare for this coming week at our annual Ministers Enrichment, I would like to make several points.

First, the gifts of the Spirit are given by the Holy Spirit as He chooses, not according to what we want. Why He gives certain gifts to some and no to others may never be understood this side of heaven. We must be content with that reality.

Second, Spiritual gifts do not make us any better than anyone else. The Scripture clearly teaches that every member of the body of Christ has been given gifts. Therefore, we are all equal with none superior to anyone else.

Third, walking in the Spirit should make us more holy. Speaking in tongues is a door to a different dimension of the Spirit, but all of us have known individuals who speak in tongues without the accompanying manifestation of humility, meekness, gentleness, or love. May that never be said of you or me!

Fourth, we believe that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Spirit, but it is not the only evidence of Spirit living. The fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the empowerment of the Spirit all play important rolls in this journey of life and mininstry.

Fifth, nothing can take the place of an individual's personal walk with God. I have seen, and you may have as well, individuals who have experienced the IPE, been used in some of the gifts, and have effectively ministered in a variety of ways but have not continued to walk with Christ. There is no substitute for daily times of prayer and meditating on the Word of God, walking in holiness, and living out the life of faith through good times and as well as trials. The fruit of the Spirit should always be prominant in Spirit living.

Finally, we need a genuine outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We don't need more hype or man initiated revelations. We don't need the newspaper and media people to spread the story of what happens. We need to humble ourselves before God and simply let Him have his way. This may have no results relating to church growth or our personal reputation, but if we gain favor with the Lord, that will be enough.