I find it grievous that the Holy Spirit — God’s gift to the church for creating true community and fellowship, whose presence on the Day of Pentecost brought the believers together with one heart, mind, and soul, and who gave spiritual gifts for building up the body of Christ — is the One around whom so much controversy and division exist.
This should not be! We must not allow this to continue! This division is a blot, a blemish on the witness of Christ’s body, and a damaging hindrance to the answer to Christ’s prayer in John 17 that we all be one in Him. Granted, there are truths for which we must take our stand, nonnegotiable doctrines that cannot be compromised — the Deity of Christ, the atoning sacrifice of Christ for sin, the doctrine of the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith. . . I do not at all suggest that we embrace unity at the expense of God’s truth.
But doesn’t it stand to reason that the One who came to create unity among Christians in the first place, the One who intends to build up and fortify the church, this Blessed Holy Spirit and His workings, can be understood and taught in a way that unites rather than divides God’s people? Can’t we conclude that if so many well-intentioned, bright, mature, and Biblically-based Christian leaders are stuck at an impasse over how the Holy Spirit works today, that perhaps we are not rightly understanding and teaching how He works? What’s wrong with this picture? Doesn’t it appear that commonly held views fall short? Then, isn’t it conceivable that a better, more balanced view exists, one that can bring us together rather than tearing us apart?
It’s my deep conviction that, since the Holy Spirit was given in large measure to create, build up, and unite the body of Christ, then we can teach about His workings in a way that accomplishes His purposes. I believe we need a balanced biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit’s working that unites Christ’s body; that embraces all He has to give us without creating a divisive culture of “haves versus have-nots”; an approach that celebrates our unity in Christ and also our diverse spiritual gifts and experiences.
My earnest and fervent prayer is that the writings of this blog will be anointed by the Holy Spirit, and that the insights presented will edify believers and build up Christ’s Church, unifying and equipping us in His power and presence to touch and impact many lives for His glory. I’m praying that these writings will find their way into the hearts and minds of many fellow believers who are hungry for a more authentic, dynamic, powerful, and Spirit-filled Christian life and ministry in our world. Please join me in this journey, and let’s all pray this prayer together in one accord: “COME, HOLY SPIRIT!!!”