I remember as a boy growing up in a Baptist Church and getting saved (praise the Lord!). Now once I got saved, I started reading the Bible. Now, no one told me to read the Bible – well perhaps that’s not entirely true. I am sure the Holy Spirit led and I listened. But if I remember correctly, there were some in the church who weren’t happy with my reading the Bible. You see, I had questions. I read about the New Testament Church, but I didn’t see us being the New Testament Church.
My tenure in the Baptist Church came to an end when myself and the Pastor (a man I loved with all my heart – and still do) had a strong “discussion” about the gifts of the Spirit. About this same time, I had met a young person from an Assembly of God church. I was introduced to the Holy Spirit at the Coshocton Assembly of God Church. I only attended there about six months before joining the Air Force. During my time in the Air Force, I, and later my wife and children, attended various Pentecostal churches.
In all those churches, I witnessed the working of the Holy Spirit, mighty and wonderful works. But I always noticed that there was something missing. Now please don’t anyone take this as a criticism, but maybe I can offer it up as a correction. For about ten years ago, God showed me that I was paying too much attention to the gifts of the Spirit and not allowing the fruit of the Spirit to lead the way.
If I can paraphrase 1 Corinthians 13, pretty much everything works through love if it’s going to work right – which is the first of the fruit of the Spirit. This is just something for us to all think about.
God Bless,
Pastor John Simms
April 2, 2010 at 12:21 am
Yes John. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. Love is patient. Love is kind.
Many Christians, too often confess the absence of the fruit of the spirit in their lives. Since the spirit produces fruit in the lives of those who are spirit led, those who do not produce fruit are not allowing the spirit to lead them.
Circumstances and people are not the reason people fail to produce fruit. They fail to produce fruit because they are not abiding in the vine and are not submitted to the Holy Spirit. The spirit will produce fruit in difficult circumstances and in the presence of difficult people. In fact, what good is patience if it is not in the midst of difficulty. Anyone can claim patience when things are going well.
John your correction is appreciated.
Brent