6 replies to this topic

[Thinker]

We start with the premise that all genuine Christians have a ministry. (Some may have more than one ministry). If we attempt to carry out any ministry relying on any ability and knowledge that we have, we can only hope to have wood, hay and stubble. I Corinthians 3:12 speaks of this, "Now if any man build upon this foundation (Jesus) gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble...." When God's assessing fire tests our works, self dependent works will be burned away like wood, hay and stubble. The same thing is true in our lives as Christians. Major Ian Thomas wisely taught that God doesn't want us to try to live the Christian life. (We couldn't do it)! God, Himself, wants to live the Christian life in and through us. How would this be done? When we are born again, the Holy Spirit becomes resident in us. The next step is for Him to rule as president. For this to be accomplished, we need to be emptied of all that would restrict His filling us with Himself. He assumes the responsibility to accomplish this. Our part is to follow His leading (John 16:13 shows us where He is leading). "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth...." This emptying is a lifelong learning experience. It may begin with a crisis experience of surrendering our lives to His Lordship. As the Word of God fills us, and we apply and act upon its principles, yielding obedience to its instructions, our sin and self is being "flushed out" and He begins to fill the vacated territory in our beings. As this takes place, we begin to see the ninefold fruit of the Spirit being produced in our lives. When this is done, guess Who gets the glory? Selah! When we are more and more filled, the Holy Spirit will flow out, in rivers of living water, to touch others in the path of the flow. May we not hinder His emptying so that we can be filled more and more. His life in us is our ministry! Thinker (Ron)

[ADVRider]

Thanks Ron,

Great post. "Ministry" has increasingly come to mean something one does, rather than something one is. If we look at the life of Jesus, he would not qualify today in the minds of many of us as he simply "went about doing good." He had no earthly credentials to do what he did.

Interestingly, I recently received a video by email of Alistair Begg (haven't watched it yet-long!) speaking on what seems like a similar theme: "Inadequacy: The Suprising Secret to Being Useful to God." Sounds like Ian Thomas.

[Thinker]

John, Thanks for your comments. Another comment from Major Ian Thomas has resonated with me many times over the years. It goes something like this: "God wants to be what He is-everything, in what we are-nothing, and that will really be something!" or "God wants to express His Deity in our humanity." Wishing You His Best! Ron (Thinker)

[Candice]

Dear Thinker,

Our part is t follow His leading (John 16:13 shows us where He is leading). "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth...."
DO you think it is possible that the context is for those apostles to whom Jesus is speaking? I wonder because it is before HIS crucifixion and they were told in v. 13 c Jesus says "He will tell you things to come". In other words, the church's mission, etc.? I don't know that God is telling me things to come, so in this specific context, is it not different? Then, in v. 15 He says "...He will take of Mine and declare it to you." Isn't He speaking on what's to come immediately for those followers and not ourselves? I don't know. Sometimes I don't know what applied just to them and what applies to us over 2,000 years later.

Good insight from you. Candice

[Thinker]

Candice, Thanks for your input. I share your concern about does it apply to us or to them. I have always found it a good rule that even if we conclude that it is only for them, there is probably still an application for us today. For example, the Law was for israel. However, the principles are right for any age and culture. Paul even speaks of the righteousness of the law being fulfilled in us who live in the age of Grace. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all Truth (His Word) where we will find "things to come" and the things of Christ and much more. Hope this helps Thinker (Ron)

[Candice]

Hi Ron,
Yes, I agree with you! Amen and amen! Candice

[ADVRider]

Dear Thinker,

Our part is t follow His leading (John 16:13 shows us where He is leading). "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth...."
DO you think it is possible that the context is for those apostles to whom Jesus is speaking? I wonder because it is before HIS crucifixion and they were told in v. 13 c Jesus says "He will tell you things to come". In other words, the church's mission, etc.? I don't know that God is telling me things to come, so in this specific context, is it not different? Then, in v. 15 He says "...He will take of Mine and declare it to you." Isn't He speaking on what's to come immediately for those followers and not ourselves? I don't know. Sometimes I don't know what applied just to them and what applies to us over 2,000 years later.

Good insight from you. Candice

Candice,

Good question. I think of it this way. If we de-emphasize the idea of "only the Apostles" and the "things" specific to them that Jesus was inferring, then we are left with the Spirit of Truth. He is the same today as He was then. I believe the main point of this passage is, Jesus in effect, saying, "I am leaving, but my Spirit is coming and He will tell you what you need to know." The big question appears to be, Who is the "you"? Us, them, or all Christians? The point I am getting at is, possibly the context is speaking of initially to the Apostles, but every believer in the present age still needs the leading and guidance of the Spirit. Contrary (IMO) to the thinking of some that imply because we now have the scriptures, we don't need the Spirit's teaching, I ask, At what point did the church not need His direction? Even the scriptures cannot be really understood with the natural mind.