The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 12:2-3,
"You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
"You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit."
It is commonly acknowledged that the twelth chapter of 1 Corinthians is the chapter on gifts of the Holy Spirit. This really is a wonderful chapter to read as Paul explains how the "body of Christ", that is the "church", is made up of many members who have been enabled by the Holy Spirit to serve one another in differing capacities, different ways. He points to differing parts of a human body, the foot, the ear, etc. to illustrate how all the parts need the contribution each provide to make the body function as a whole. The body of Christ functions with the various gifts the Spirit has provided various ones.
Not to be overlooked, however, is the above passage. Unbelievers have one influence while believers have another. Once we had a certain orientation in life, now, as believers, we have another. We march to a different drum beat. It is the Holy Spirit who changes our outlook that is the one that proivdes us with capabilities to serve one another, as well as the Lord himself, as the body of Christ is being built.
It hardly needs to be pointed to, that we as believers see things differently than non believers. We have a different outlook, a different viewpoint on so many things in life. This results in friction and tension at times when we rub shoulders with non believers. They don't understand us and we can't fathom why they can't understand us.
We all have influences in our lives. We are influenced by the Holy Spirit, they are influenced by something else.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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