Post by LDM on Sept 4, 2010 7:09:09 GMT -5
I once had a conversation with someone about the law. He asked, "If we are no longer under the law, then how do we know what sin or unrighteousness is?"
I responded by saying that the purpose of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was to do just that. We know longer are under the law because God is not relying on "us" to know what to do or not to do.
He is not giving us a step by step plan of how to be. Instead, He has given the Holy Spirit within to be the arbiter and guide in ALL we think, say, and do. That is how we have the mind of Christ. In following Him in all things, we are walking in His righteousness; and when we stray, He will also convict us of sin.
Yet, he struggled with that concept. It just seemed to loosey-goosey...too "spiritualized". He needed something concrete (not pun intended) to hold on to.
As I pondered on the "church", I wondered how much of that same thinking affects how we view fellowship? The same way people struggle to let go of the law (because it gives them something to hold on to), is the same way people often struggle with church fellowship it seems.
Yesterday, as I watched some videos on "house churches" I marveled at some of the things said. Is it really possible to have a fellowship where everyone contributes? Where there is not one main leader who is in charge and does most of the teaching? Wouldn't that get rather disorderly and chaotic?
Then it struck me. I am doing exactly what that man was doing in our discussion of the law. I was assuming that it was better to have a formal structure to follow because I couldn't imagine an environment where the Holy Spirit would really lead each person and each gathering. The fact that I assumed no direct leadership by man would by default mean a "lack of order" showed that I didn't fully grasp what it means to follow the Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit can guide each individual in all that we do (which I certainly believe that He does), then why can't He also guide multiple individuals as we gather together?
Now, clearly there is a potential for abuse. Just look at Paul's firs letter to Corinth. The freedom they had in Christ (the freedom of each being led by God's Spirit) was bringing confusion because they were immature and not exercising wisdom. But Paul's remedy was not to appoint men who would control the flow of the service. His remedy was to remind each person that everything should be done with the goal of edifying all.
When God gives us the roadmap, we can control where we go and how we get there. This is the comfort that comes along with having the law and even in some respects having a "Moses" who can go to God for us and tell us what God wants.
BUT, Moses is dead and God desires to lead each individual as He sees fit. That can be sort of scary because instead of giving us the road map, He imparts to us the GPS system (His Holy Spirit) and simply says, "Follow me."
We don't know the way, and we have never been this way before. Only He can take us to our destination. But do we trust Him to do that or are we still looking for something formal to hold on to? Are we still trying to control and guide our own way, or are we willing to let go of our fears, desires, and opinions to follow Him?
I do believe in God's appointed leadership in the church, and the authority that comes along with such callings. However, I am also seeing more and more how man's impressions of "church" can often impede the work of God's Spirit.
I have yearned to see God's church the way God says it will be...but even more so, I yearn to see ME the way God says I will be. Perhaps the former will become more clear & more in focus as the latter is continually transformed by the Potter's hands.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14
I responded by saying that the purpose of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was to do just that. We know longer are under the law because God is not relying on "us" to know what to do or not to do.
He is not giving us a step by step plan of how to be. Instead, He has given the Holy Spirit within to be the arbiter and guide in ALL we think, say, and do. That is how we have the mind of Christ. In following Him in all things, we are walking in His righteousness; and when we stray, He will also convict us of sin.
Yet, he struggled with that concept. It just seemed to loosey-goosey...too "spiritualized". He needed something concrete (not pun intended) to hold on to.
As I pondered on the "church", I wondered how much of that same thinking affects how we view fellowship? The same way people struggle to let go of the law (because it gives them something to hold on to), is the same way people often struggle with church fellowship it seems.
Yesterday, as I watched some videos on "house churches" I marveled at some of the things said. Is it really possible to have a fellowship where everyone contributes? Where there is not one main leader who is in charge and does most of the teaching? Wouldn't that get rather disorderly and chaotic?
Then it struck me. I am doing exactly what that man was doing in our discussion of the law. I was assuming that it was better to have a formal structure to follow because I couldn't imagine an environment where the Holy Spirit would really lead each person and each gathering. The fact that I assumed no direct leadership by man would by default mean a "lack of order" showed that I didn't fully grasp what it means to follow the Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit can guide each individual in all that we do (which I certainly believe that He does), then why can't He also guide multiple individuals as we gather together?
Now, clearly there is a potential for abuse. Just look at Paul's firs letter to Corinth. The freedom they had in Christ (the freedom of each being led by God's Spirit) was bringing confusion because they were immature and not exercising wisdom. But Paul's remedy was not to appoint men who would control the flow of the service. His remedy was to remind each person that everything should be done with the goal of edifying all.
When God gives us the roadmap, we can control where we go and how we get there. This is the comfort that comes along with having the law and even in some respects having a "Moses" who can go to God for us and tell us what God wants.
BUT, Moses is dead and God desires to lead each individual as He sees fit. That can be sort of scary because instead of giving us the road map, He imparts to us the GPS system (His Holy Spirit) and simply says, "Follow me."
We don't know the way, and we have never been this way before. Only He can take us to our destination. But do we trust Him to do that or are we still looking for something formal to hold on to? Are we still trying to control and guide our own way, or are we willing to let go of our fears, desires, and opinions to follow Him?
I do believe in God's appointed leadership in the church, and the authority that comes along with such callings. However, I am also seeing more and more how man's impressions of "church" can often impede the work of God's Spirit.
I have yearned to see God's church the way God says it will be...but even more so, I yearn to see ME the way God says I will be. Perhaps the former will become more clear & more in focus as the latter is continually transformed by the Potter's hands.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14