by Jesse Abel
If you are above the age of fifty then you are noticing a few things about your body that can be downright alarming. The apostle Paul uses this thought to look past the temporal state of physical life to our eternal state of everlasting life. For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ; this is a great comfort and confidence, but if you do not believe in Him whatever is seen is temporary and incurable. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
No doubt, I can spend a lot of time in these three chapters; on and off I have studied the subject of “Spiritual gifts” for over thirty years, but I do not want to lose sight of my original intent. Is it coincidence or is it God who guides the hearts of men to teach the subjects that pertain to the current events of our personal and national life in time.
For Bible believing people the answer is simple. One look at His Story or biblical history will explain that God is intimately at work in our personal and national life. The entire Bible is my reference and here is one verse of scripture that proves this since I know many unbelievers who can quote it. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16.
Well, let me get back to 1 Corinthians 12; 13 and 14 to finish up. I think (a personal observation) but I think it would be better if our view of these chapters was focused on life in the Spirit rather than the gifts of the Spirit. Believers individually make up the body of Christ, or easier said – the church of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 the apostle states that our body is not our own and that the Holy Spirit abides in our temple. One God, but many members; also said in Ephesians 4, One God, One Faith and One Baptism, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace.
So I believe that when churches apply human viewpoint to the subject of the gifts of the Spirit, these leaders destroy the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit seeks to keep the church on the same page of our personal and national life. He does this with the Spiritual Life within the church. He accomplishes this task as outlined by the apostle Paul in Romans 12 wherein the entire chapter focuses on the church; in that each is given a measure of faith; some with permanent gifts of the Spirit and some with temporal.
So yes I believe that God is heartily at work allowing His saints to share scripture, thoughts and all things that pertain to our moment in life to further the gospel of His Son to those who are without hope. God does not use coincidence. He who knows the end from the beginning and does not need that word, nor does He ever use it. Isaiah 46:10. When we speak in likeminded language we then are doing things decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40.
No doubt, I can spend a lot of time in these three chapters; on and off I have studied the subject of “Spiritual gifts” for over thirty years, but I do not want to lose sight of my original intent. Is it coincidence or is it God who guides the hearts of men to teach the subjects that pertain to the current events of our personal and national life in time.
For Bible believing people the answer is simple. One look at His Story or biblical history will explain that God is intimately at work in our personal and national life. The entire Bible is my reference and here is one verse of scripture that proves this since I know many unbelievers who can quote it. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16.
Well, let me get back to 1 Corinthians 12; 13 and 14 to finish up. I think (a personal observation) but I think it would be better if our view of these chapters was focused on life in the Spirit rather than the gifts of the Spirit. Believers individually make up the body of Christ, or easier said – the church of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 the apostle states that our body is not our own and that the Holy Spirit abides in our temple. One God, but many members; also said in Ephesians 4, One God, One Faith and One Baptism, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace.
So I believe that when churches apply human viewpoint to the subject of the gifts of the Spirit, these leaders destroy the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit seeks to keep the church on the same page of our personal and national life. He does this with the Spiritual Life within the church. He accomplishes this task as outlined by the apostle Paul in Romans 12 wherein the entire chapter focuses on the church; in that each is given a measure of faith; some with permanent gifts of the Spirit and some with temporal.
So yes I believe that God is heartily at work allowing His saints to share scripture, thoughts and all things that pertain to our moment in life to further the gospel of His Son to those who are without hope. God does not use coincidence. He who knows the end from the beginning and does not need that word, nor does He ever use it. Isaiah 46:10. When we speak in likeminded language we then are doing things decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:37-40.
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