Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Thought for the Day: Barton W. Stone, one of the founders of our denomination, suggested that Jesus’s “apostles were forbidden to leave Jerusalem and preach the Gospel till they had receive the Holy Spirit of promise, endured with power from on high… The Lord will have no servants in his Church without this qualification.” He concluded his thoughts by asking how exactly can a person without the Spirit minister to others? I believe many people would echo Stone’s observation, but what exactly does it mean to receive or have the Spirit? The scriptures are strangely silent on this subject, or at least the scriptures lack specifics. Of course, the scriptures are more interested in the outcome of those who have the Spirit. As Paul describes the Spirit, he describes it in terms of the fruit it produces within us. Like Stone, many within the Restoration movement of the early 1800’s, believed the Spirit within us had an impact upon those around us. They all seemed less concerned about the Spirit’s influence upon one’s own life and more interested in what the Spirit dwelling within self means for others.
Prayer: Dwell within me, O Spirit of the Living God. Dwell within me; change my heart where you see needed change; make my roots run deep within your grace; allow for my spirit-filled life to produce the gifts needed for this world. Amen.
SEE YOU SUNDAY
