Posted on 09/09/2024 12:33:52 AM PDT by metmom
“To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
The Holy Spirit uses believers to minister to other believers.
Right in line with modern culture’s emphasis on personal independence, it’s often easy for one to say, “If I have the all-sufficient Holy Spirit living within me, that’s all I need to live my Christian life.” That is true, but because you are not completely sanctified, you do not always allow the Spirit to fully do His work. Therefore, God needs to use other believers to minister the Spirit’s correction, exhortation, or encouragement.
The Bible is very clear about this. The Epistle to the Hebrews says God wants followers who do not waver in their profession of faith. And a primary way Christians will fulfill that is by regularly meeting together and seriously stimulating one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:23-25).
We don’t have to look far for the proper setting in which to meet regularly and encourage one another. It’s any Bible-believing local church that is exercising its spiritual gifts. These special gifts are simply the loving channels through which the Holy Spirit ministers to those within the fellowship of believers. Today’s verse suggests that each of us has a gift, and this truth is explained a little more in verse 11: “One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” Here the apostle Paul reveals yet one more way in which the Holy Spirit sovereignly helps us and others to become more mature.
What’s remarkable about the Spirit’s working through us is that we become extensions of His voice. Perhaps you’ve thought of that comparison at times when you’ve shared the gospel with the lost. But the analogy fits equally well when you reach out and minister to someone within your church. The idea of being an extension of the Holy Spirit’s ministry ought to encourage you toward greater faithfulness in using your spiritual gifts to help other believers. Likewise, it should make you more sensitive to the Spirit’s correcting and edifying work in your life as others come alongside and minister to you (Col. 3:12-13).
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask the Lord to keep you always faithful to the commands of Hebrews 10:23-25.
For Further Study
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7.
What kind of example did the Macedonians set regarding aid to other believers?
How should that motivate us (v. 7)?
From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Amen so important!
I went back to my congregation after a very long break. They had no Bible study or fellowship / prayer group. So I’ve very much felt led to start both and praise God He has increased the numbers.Both groups are still small but their faith is growing strong!
I’ve even been allowed to preach some sermons!
God knows my motivations (better than I) So I am grateful to be doing what I believe I must.
Thanks for the ping metmom , an important issue to say the least.
God bless.
It is never a large group, but rather an individual. No great revival or group has changed anything. Groups leave everyone waiting for the individual. God came down on only individuals. He did not come down on groups of people.
Always it is an individual. You be the one with courage and you take the action. It is your individual action, not that of a group waiting for one to act.
It was a teenager who went aline to challenge man to man a giant of a nan, with only a sling. Only after one acted alone did others follow. Groups follow.
One doing what God asks always is the act of power. No group ever had that power.
Revivals are not necessary and unless one alone acts it is just others safely within a group.
Alone (all one of us).
Excellent point.
I remember hearing people praying for revival decades ago in prayer groups and special meetings I attended. And then it was over and everyone went home and nothing changed.
It was like everyone was waiting for God to move and just went about their normal everyday lives, wondering when something would happen.
And nobody seemed to be able to tell what it would look like.
Yup, there was the waiting for something to happen and then the group joins the *revival*.
I suspect many people miss the point of confession and repentance and forsaking sin part.
Funny thing yesterday our service was about God calling individuals, and how revivals do nothing. The groups always wait for someone else to take up the necessary action. David was called and group were disaffected, angry men who were ready for a fight. But they waited for him.
If each of us takes action on a task it can be accomplished. But if many alone take many tasks independently we achieve more than a group brought together for a task.
God always calls on one, not many.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.