grace and mercy and Christian way and Holy Spirit gifts

THE CHRISTIAN WAY IS THRU GRACE AND MERCY

By Frank E. Henrich April 21, 2007

    I am writing this instruction to Christians seeking to serve God. In my last thirty-five years, I have learned some things that may help you. The question arises, “Does our wonderful God give his special gifts to his followers who worship and praise Him?” The Bible says He that does. What are the gifts of the Spirit? In Corinthians 12:27-31, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts.” These gifts are to equip us to serve God.

    Can I trust the Bible that God gives these gifts to those who adore Him and do His work here on Earth? There are some who claim his gifts to us were shut off by the distance of time since Jesus’ resurrection. Such teaching is promoted by Christian leaders who want to profess Him as real but do not want to deal with persons with active gifts. They do not want the uncertainty this can bring in their professional control of a Christian community. Yes, sadly those who should be encouraging new Christians seeking to do God’s work, sometimes thwart God’s work through this desire to control. There is the scripture that speaks of this, Matt 12:31, "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Is claiming that the work of the Holy Spirit is of Satan, is that blasphemy? I am glad that I need not judge, for God does. You need be aware of this danger and avoid persons you suspect of this action.

    For a Christian community, there is a fine line between seeking stability and letting God minister with the gifts of the Spirit. So some Christians may move to earnest churches and lukewarm Christians remain in lukewarm churches. We could continue on with this subject, and indeed many works are written on all aspects of the gifts, but we will not. Rather we move the discussion to the individual level, yes you, and me. Here are three guides I use to help me in my Christian walk. I pass them on to you.

    1. The first is to trust in God to lead us the way he wants us to go as expressed in Matthew 7:7-9, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there, among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?” Therefore, if you error, trust God to correct your way.

     2. Secondly, use God’s book of instruction. Check the Bible for any action you are led to do. If such a check turns out to be against a teaching of the Bible, don’t do it. Let the scriptures guide you. If you feel led to do something that will have a major effect on your life, test it as stated in the Bible. Remember to test all actions that can effect others in a major way. God is not offended by your testing as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Test all things; hold fast what is good “ and 1 John 4:1, “ Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God.” How do I test? I have two strong mature Christians who I visit, and ask them to pray for God’s gift of discernment on the matter. God honors such a test.

    3. Thirdly, realize that some lukewarm Christians and ministers will thwart your new earnest life just to control you, and may not want you in their group because your fire for Christ, is disturbing their comfort zone. Your ministry work for Jesus can be unsupported by your Christian community, if not hindered by them. It is a sad thing to say, but recognize it. Satan will work to discourage you. It is important to attend regularly a church that nourishes you.

    As you grow in the gifts, you will learn that these tools come into your life to assist you with doing a certain ministry for Jesus. The gifts will change as your ministry changes. I address this article to two groups. First, to the earnest Christians who have lost their fire, who have found leaders, who allow them to slip back to lukewarmness. If you are one, you dearly miss the working of the Holy Spirit in your life in a ministry. But for reasons, have you set God aside? I encourage you to ask God to re-energize you. Again give God blind faith, for without it you cannot follow Him. Remember his awesomeness and how little you are; like a single raindrop in a the famous Yosemite Valley Waterfall that tumbles over a half a mile down. Remembering God’s greatness will make it easier for you to again be on fire.

    The second group I address is to new earnest Christians. Learning to live your new life will lead you to the discovery of the gifts. Here God will lead you to mature Christians who can guide you as you develop. God will provide these helpers; use their help as needed.

    After saying this, I close with the scripture, 2 Tim 1:6-7, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying of the hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Happy traveling.

GRACE AND MERCY IS THE CHRISTIAN WAY

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WALK THE CHRISTIAN WAY IN GRACE AND MERCY

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