Saturday, June 13, 2009

Uncommon "Determinator"

“…for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God…even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10-11) 

         If Spiritual illumination comes only by the Spirit of God, why not just throw out Biblical truths haphazardly and wait to see who picks them up? Why? Because although it is the Spirit that opens the heart, in the vast majority of cases, He uses witnessing, preaching, and teaching to capture the interest. Paul may not have used “enticing words” (v. 4); but he certainly was adept at persuasive language (2 Cor. 5:11). There is a difference. As a matter of fact, each of us is equipped with the ability to reach out to certain individuals in ways others of us are not able.

         Some women and men instinctively understand the thought processes of children and are quickly able to win their confidence. Consequently, they have insight into the best way to introduce these VIP’s in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 18) to the Gospel and spiritual things. If you are blessed with this awesome gift, allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate; but, by all means, also allow Him to use you to initiate.

         God uses some preachers, teachers, musicians, and laymen to warm cold hearts and inspire love among His people. They minister the Word of God to others as a balm, as a means of reconciliation to God and other believers. On the other hand, there are those whose presentation of the Scripture carries the thrust of an Old Testament prophet, breaking up the hard ground of indifference and convicting of sin. Both ministries are called for at different times and with different people. But again, while God may use one individual to warm hearts, and another to stir them, only the Spirit of God can change them.

         For those whose interest is caught and held by intelligent, well prepared, and well thought out arguments, God has gifted some of His children with sharp, reasoning minds, who are able to present the most reasonable proposition in all the universe: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But here, too, without Supernatural illumination, it is just one more hypothesis.

         My thesis here is two-fold: First, God has given you and me the command to present the Gospel and minister His Word to others according to the ability He has given each of us (1 Peter 4:11). If every person were the same, we could all minister to each one the same; but since they are not, we cannot. Or rather, we should not. Second, the thing that is the same—no matter who is preaching, teaching, or testifying—is this: It is all to no avail if the Spirit of God does not open the heart.  This is the common denominator, and He is the “Uncommon Determinator.” After you and I have sharpened our tools and nurtured our abilities, it is He who will determine whether or not our best efforts are successful.

            Who God does not teach, man cannot. ~ Gaelic Proverb

No comments:

Post a Comment