Saturday, December 07, 2019

Growing in Strength


The "Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.  He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.  All those who heard him were astonished and asked, 'Isn't he the man who raised havoc on Jerusalem among those who call on this name?  And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?'  Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah."  ~ Acts 9:18-22

The context of this scripture is the conversion of Saul (Paul).  Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5).  He knew the scriptures, but, now, for the first time in his life, they were made alive.  He was seeing them from a completely different perspective.  Before conversion, he thought that in the Scriptures he had eternal life (John 5:39).  But now, he realized that the Scriptures were testifying to Christ and that in Christ, he had eternal life.

The light had come on, he was now alive proclaiming it.  But he also had to grow in his newfound knowing of Jesus.  Notice the scripture didn't say that he was growing more and more in knowledge, but in power.  It's also translated strength.  He was becoming more and more powerful or strong in his faith.  I imagine that this verse speaks both to ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit and to growing in strength of relationship with Christ.  It's the latter that I would like to focus on.  He was growing in strength.  Paul had the scriptures all along, but now he had the Christ in the scriptures.

As Paul spent more time with Jesus, he was strengthened for the work to which he was called.  We cannot neglect time with our Savior – time spent basking in His presence, listening to His Holy Spirit, studying His Scriptures with the intent of knowing Him better, worshiping Him through song for who He is and what He has done, and laughing, crying and just talking with him as you process all this life has to throw at you.  For it is this time spent with Him when no one else is watching that strengthens us for the work to which he has called us, mainly confounding the world with the knowledge and beauty of Christ.

Tuesday, November 05, 2019

Fruit, Not Gifts


“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.” ~ Acts 6:3
There are requirements of those you select to lead.  Notice the verse didn’t say select seven men who are gifted in administration or helps, etc. The gifting is never the qualification of those who lead.  Their character, submission to the Lord’s spirit and resulting wisdom that they display are what qualified these men.
True leaders should always be selected primarily by their fruit and then by their giftedness, not the other way around.  All too often, I think about my own ability to lead others and I think that I’m ill-equipped because I’m not a gifted speaker or boisterous leader.  This is not God’s way of thinking, because my ability to lead is not rooted in my gifting but in my consistent walk with the Holy Spirit where the fruit of the Spirit is actively present.
Look at Moses.  He argued with the Lord because he was trying to define his ability to lead others through his gifting instead of through his consistent pursuit of a loving God.  He said "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." ~Exodus 4:10.
Gifting is important, but it’s not God’s criteria for choosing leaders.  It’s their heart, their character, their displayed wisdom over time, it’s by the fruit of the Spirit and not the gifts of the Spirit.
Lord let my life be a consistent display of your fruit through a life surrendered to your leading!

~ Brent Roberts
President | Africa Freedom Mission