The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
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Errors in doctrine or simple doctrinal immaturity are regarded as sufficient<br />
reason for people to do nothing except listen. Has an enemy designed this church<br />
structure?” 3<br />
<strong>The</strong> training methods <strong>of</strong> Jesus are in stark contrast to what is common to our training<br />
in church. Peter did not recognize Jesus as <strong>the</strong> Christ, <strong>the</strong> Messiah, until he had been actively<br />
involved in service for two-and-a-half years (Mt. 16:16). It is evident from <strong>the</strong> biblical<br />
accounts that Peter had already been used by God in preaching, healing and casting out<br />
demons. <strong>The</strong> abortive attempt <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> disciples to heal a child with convulsions (Lk. 9:40)<br />
probably suggests that <strong>the</strong>y were experimenting beyond <strong>the</strong>ir ability.<br />
Before we are tempted to criticize <strong>the</strong> disciples for <strong>the</strong>ir unsuccessful attempts at<br />
healing or exorcism, let us be reminded that it is far better to try and fail than not to try at all.<br />
Faith, after all, requires that we step out and take risks. Risk is part and parcel <strong>of</strong> what faith is<br />
all about.<br />
Fear is <strong>the</strong> greatest enemy <strong>of</strong> experimentation. Experimentation where <strong>the</strong>re is an<br />
opportunity for practicing and developing one’s gifts is crucial. <strong>Gifts</strong>, like talents, need to be<br />
developed. <strong>The</strong>y are not handed to us by God refined as though <strong>the</strong>y can just automatically be<br />
put into operation and produce effective results. People need various opportunities to hone<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir gifts.<br />
FEAR OF GOD<br />
While Scripture is very clear that <strong>the</strong> proper attitude <strong>of</strong> a creature to a Creator is fear in<br />
<strong>the</strong> sense <strong>of</strong> reverence and awe (Job 28:28; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 14:26-27; Jer. 32:40), it is not<br />
right to have a kind <strong>of</strong> fear that sees God as a hard taskmaster who is virtually impossible to<br />
please. <strong>The</strong> Parable <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Talents (Lk. 19:11-27 warns against burying our talents, abilities,<br />
gifts, money) for fear <strong>the</strong>y won’t be acceptable to God. Because <strong>the</strong> person with <strong>the</strong> one talent<br />
viewed his master wrongly he was unable to function. So <strong>of</strong>ten we do <strong>the</strong> same with God. For<br />
fear that God would never be pleased with our actions (ministry) we simply stay inactive and<br />
play it safe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bible is clear that it is better to try and fail than not to try at all. We believe that to<br />
fail is to be a failure whereas God sees our attempts, even when we fail, as opportunities for<br />
learning. In fact, it is usually when we fail at something that we learn our greatest lessons when<br />
we do not give in to pessimism and defeat. We need to learn how not to do things as well as<br />
how to do <strong>the</strong>m. Failing, <strong>the</strong>n, is not failure, nor defeat, but <strong>the</strong> backdoor to success.